Sills Aviation Services

Sills Aviation Services

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    • Home
    • Our Services
    • Contact Us
    • Past Projects
      • Cessna 182 N8926X
      • Piper Pawnee
      • Bearhawk LSA
      • Cessna 150 TD
      • Sportsman STOL
      • Bearhawk Patrol
      • Tynes RV6 N64ER
      • Europa Tri-Gear Mod
      • Cessna 182 E
      • Van's RV8 N880KM
      • Luscombe NC1761K
      • Cessna 140 NC76220
      • Van's RV 7 N274US
      • Van's RV 7 N267RV
      • 182 to 180 Conversion
      • Aeronca Champ 7AC
      • Cessna 140 89292
      • Joes Sills 140
      • Globe Swift N80737
      • Navion N91572
    • Current Projects
      • Bearhawk patrol Build
      • Bearhawk 4 Place Build
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Europa Tri-Gear Modification

The Europa motor glider is a kit experimental. It was built with a retractable mono wheel and retractable out-riggers on the wings and a tailwheel.

  • The Europa motor glider is a kit experimental. It was built with a retractable mono wheel and retractable out-riggers on the wings and a tailwheel.
  • The aircraft manufacturer offers a "kit" to convert to a tricycle type landing gear configuration and the aircraft owner opted to have it installed.
  • I will omit the details of removing the mono wheel and associated mounting hardware and systems as it is very straight forward and not complicated.
  • We adapted our holding fixture to take the Europa and got it bolted in level.
  • Rotax 912 engine .
  • Next we have to remove a few items the pictures are of the future main gear attach bays.
  • We discovered that several items were stolen from the "kit " we postponed the main landing gear part and went on to the finger brake mod.
  • Below we had to remove the mono wheel retract lever and move the center throttle lever to the left a bit. WIll glass up the holes.
  • Brake masters assembled and test fitted in position.
  • Another step in the main gear mounting process is to apply fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin to the bays to reinforce the area.
  • Here we have done that step and peel ply covers the work while it cures.
  • Below we have applied the reinvorcement cloth and resin to the outer fuselage skin where the main gear legs will pass thru.
  • Above , we have closed up the hole made when we removed the mono gear retract lever and also closed up the slot where the center throttle lever was.
  • Here the gear legs & fittings are test fit and templets made for the first bulkheads.
  • Now the first bulkheads have been epoxied to the gear leg fittings and peel ply has been added during curing.
  • Peel-ply removed from the cured epoxy. Next bulkhead fabricated and fitted into place.
  • Second bulkheads potted in with the epoxy adhesive .
  • Next comes another layer of epoxy resin and glass cloth.
  • Epoxy resin and glass cloth added and then peel ply on top of that.
  • The last of the bulkheads are fabricated and in place. Cloth & resin applied and setting up with peel ply on top.
  • In the above picture , all that is left to do here is add the cap strips of glass & resin to the bulkheads and install the gear legs.
  • Bulkeads are capped and the gear legs are installed, wheels & brakes installed , brake lines plumbed and the system has been serviced.
  • We continue to pick at the brake mod.
  • Here is a look at the brake masters & levers and below is the parking brake valve.
  • Zolatone paint to try and match the old interior paint.
  • Brake levers on the far right , throttle , flap switch and just forward of that is the parking brake valve.
  • Wheel pant & fairing installations.
  • Replacement flap attach brackets where the outriggers were on the wings.
  • Flap attach fairings installed.
  • Looks pretty sharp sitting on three !
  • Finished Project !
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