Carolle Doyle/KIRKBYMOORSIDE
THE UK'S EUROPA AVIATION has begun a series of tests of the first customer-built Europa kitplane at its headquarters in Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire. The company intends to carry out similar tests on the first ten kits made by customers.
The Europa was launched by Europa Aviation, managing director Ivan Shaw in 1992, with the first flight of the prototype taking place the following year. The aircraft has a laminar-flow wing, designed by ex-British Aerospace aerodynamicist Don Dykins, which combines a low drag profile in the cruise, with powerful flaps for landing and take-off. Powered by a single 60kW (80hp) Rotax 912 engine, with a retractable Tundra-tyre mono-wheel and outriggers, the aircraft has a cruise speed of 120kt (220km/h) and has a short take-off and landing capability.
Shaw has designed a tri-gear version of the kit, which had its debut at the Sun 'n Fun 95 show at Lakeland, Florida, in April. The kit market is estimated to be ten times greater in the USA than in Europe, and the interest in both versions of the Europa is such that a sales, spares and after-sales support office has been set up at Lakeland.
Since its launch, the order book for the Europa has risen to 275 kits, with 160 in the process of completion on the UK Popular Flying Association register.
According to Shaw, the paucity of new, factory-produced light aircraft has increased the interest in kitplanes, especially as they now offer pre-moulded fuselages, clear instruction manuals, and factory support as standard. The kitplane industry, however, will always be a niche market, excluding the majority of private pilots, he says, a fact, which has led Shaw to consider taking the Europa into full production. He believes that this is the next step forward.
Source: Flight International
