http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/ en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Mon, 04 May 2026 22:54:17 +0000 120 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/d/74297-10/album255.jpg http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/ http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0153Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0153Ann.jpg.html
2008 12 31 - Tommy Meyer, Joe Flood, Phil Witt & Gary Platner went over the aircraft from one stem to stern, tip to tip. Found a couple more discrepancies: temporary nut on an aileron fitting and a couple cotter pins (split pins) not properly spread. All fixed easily. Gary and I did some taxi testing. The aircraft turns readily to the left and reluctantly to the right. (Joe took some movies. I'll see if he can get me a copy.) Noticed that the tailwheel pivot is no longer vertical after a previous gear retraction session where the supports failed and the aircraft dropped. (Wish I had the movie camera that day, but had NO cameras) Dropped especially hard on the tailweel. The engine was still supported by the engine hoist which held the front end up. Resulted in a tailwheel which is no longer right. We are working on a fix.]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0150Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0150Ann.jpg.html
2008 12 30 - I went out to the hanger and put the aircraft up on the stands for tomorrow's inspection and gear retraction session. Cycled the gear/flaps and found that the port flap still hit the fusealge when the flaps were retracted. Applied abrasives and cleaned up the issue.]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/EuropaAirworthiness.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/EuropaAirworthiness.jpg.html
Here's the Europa's Airworthiness Certificate! It's now officially a real airplane.

Gary Platner (retired Navy pilot, retired airline pilot, zillions of hours in everything big & small) will do the first flight. Between now and then we still have a lot to prepare. More engine run-up time, taxi testing, at least one (and probably more) thorough inspections by the most airplane-knowledgeable folks we know. Can't have too many eyes going over it. Finally, we'll need some respectable weather. Stay tuned...]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_2905Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_2905Ann.jpg.html
Then he proceeded to go over the aircraft with a fine-tooth comb. If there was an opening, he was in it with his light and mirror. A very thorough fellow. Found a couple discrepancies which were immediately fixed. For instance, one nut to quite tight enough and no placard on the fuel filler. Once all the discrepancies were cleared, we completed and signed the paperwork.]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_2904Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_2904Ann.jpg.html
Mel Asberry arrived just about on time at 1000 hrs. He took care of all the paperwork first. He appreciated the fact that I had calculated weight & balance for all loading extremes.]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_2903Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_2903Ann.jpg.html
2008 12 26 - We are making ready for the airworthiness inspection. There will be a gear retraction test, so we have to lift the aircraft onto the supports.]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0148Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0148Ann.jpg.html
This is the little anemometer used for the testing. I held it up along side the pitot tube for reading. If I really wanted to get serious with this, I'd make up an outlet unit with flow straighteners to reduce the turbulence and add some sort of long, expanding cone which would allow better establishment of uniform airspeed.]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0147Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0147Ann.jpg.html
The blower is supposed to be capable of 100 MPH. When I put the concentrator on and check it with my anemometer, it reads about that. I wasn't interested in 100, I was more concerned with the 40 - 60 range. Set up the blower to get close to 45 at the pitot tube. It was fluctuating around 45 (42 - 47). When I checked the Airspeed indicator it was bouncing between 42 & 47 so I called it close enough. Went up and performed the same steps at 55 & 65 with similar results. I'm comfortable that the airspeed is accurate at the low speeds around the stall. ]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0146Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_0146Ann.jpg.html
2008 12 24 - So intent on making the Europa ready for inspection that I forgot the good camera again. Did have the trusty old iPhone. Used the tubing unions from McMaster-Carr to re-join the pitot & static lines. Then ran one above and one below the spar when I put the wing back on. All alone on the wing replacement, BTW. Then rigged up the airspeed testing system you see in the pic. ]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000 http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_2884Ann.jpg.html http://www.europaowners.org/gallery2/v/N914XL/album255/IMG_2884Ann.jpg.html
2008 12 20 - Even when you are done, you really aren't done. Was doing airspeed calibrations today and was having problems. Wanted to check the pitot & static connections inside wing root. Pulled the wing and found the problem. Both lines had been crimped badly. Crushed very badly. Cut out the 2 inches (5 cm) of crushed lines. Ordered some tubing connections from McMaster-Carr. Will have to splice in some new tubing. Also need to find out what was the problem crushing the lines.

Tommy says that you are NEVER really finished with your airplane. There's ALWAYS something needing repair, needing maintenance or needing upgrade.]]> rlborger photo Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:27 +0000