Kiwi Chateau     

Europa XS Monowheel

The XS Monowheel was the first model of the Europa Classic in 1995. With a single retractable wheel in the centre of the fuselage and retractable outriggers on each wing (reminiscent of the U-2 Spy-Plane!) the overall drag of the aircraft was minimised and therefore you had the advantage of high speed with excellent fuel economy.

While the central main wheel is common to the gliding fraternity the Monowheel may be unfamiliar to some pilots. This configuration had ground handling characteristics and a taxiing position different from aircraft with tricycle undercarriages. As such, people with gliding or “Tail Dragger” experience often found the conversion to the Monowheel easier.

The XS Monowheel was supplied with a number of different engines, although usually from Rotax, ranging from 80 HP through to 120 HP, the latter being turbocharged.

The Europa XS was available in two other versions: Europa XS Trigear and  Europa XS Motorglider.

Airmaster's Europa XS Monowheel - ZK-UBD

What all the above REALLY means is that when you lower the flaps, you lower the large, retractable main-wheel (AND the outriggers) at the same time... This translates to a TRUCK-load of drag suddenly coming from nowhere and you drop like a brick!

FRANKLY, Geoff prefers the "good old" tricycle-gear configuration, which GREATLY reduces the possibility of prop-strike, as well!

A tricycle-geared Europa at the PFA Rally,
Kemble Field, UK - 2003

Europa panel - Note the Airmaster electronic, Variable-Pitch (Constant-Speed)-prop Controller
(with the blue knob) on the right.
PFA Rally, Kemble Field, UK - 2003

Europa sporting a cut-down & cut-away (for air-show display purposes) Airmaster electronic, Variable-Pitch (Constant-Speed) propeller.
PFA Rally, Kemble Field, UK - 2003

ALSO at the PFA Rally: