Europa Aircraft is to modify its XS kitplane to meet the weight requirements of the proposed new US sportplane category, and could move to factory production. The move would put the company in competition with its former owner, now Liberty Aerospace.
The US Federal Aviation Administration's new light-sport aircraft category covers single-engined, two-seat aircraft and is likely to set a maximum gross weight limit of 560-590kg (1,230-1,300lb). The category will not require costly aircraft certification and several kitplane manufacturers have unveiled plans to sell pre-assembled versions (Flight International, 23-29 April).
The XS weighs 620kg. Europa managing director Keith Wilson says weight reductions would be straightforward, but that the digitally controlled 95kW (125hp) Continental IOF-240 would be replaced with a 75kW Rotax 912S with a fixed-pitch propeller. This would reduce maximum speed to 115kt (215km/h) permitted by the category. The move would pit the Europa against the Liberty XL-2, which is based on the XS.
Europa was sold by Liberty last October and the two companies are thought to have a non-competition clause in the disposal contract, which also left Europa as UK and Ireland distributor for theXL-2. For this reason Europa is not likely to seek full FAA certification for the pre-assembled XS. "It would be counterproductive to compete with Liberty when we want to sell the XL-2. The sportplane category would present an opportunity for partnership," says Wilson.
Europa has ruled out producing fully assembled aircraft for Europe as weight limits on national sportplane licences vary. Last week, the company launched six subkits for tricycle undercarriage and mono-wheel versions. After a deal with Slingsby Aviation to produce the wing and fuselage, Wilson says Europa will double production rates to meet "busiest ever" demand.
Source: Flight International
