Europa #272 ZK-TSK, A Builders Log

This is the construction log of Europa number 272 being built by Tony Krzyzewski, a first time aircraft builder based in New Zealand. The methods I describe are not necessarily the best or most effective but are what I find work for me. This aircraft is being built under the specifications laid down by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority which broadly reflect the US EAA requirements for experimental aircraft. Further information about sport flying in New Zealand can be found on the Sport Aircraft Association of New Zealand web pages. An index of my builders log can be found further down this page.

Tony Krzyzewski EAA Member 517084

A bit about me. I am 50 and live to the south east of Auckland. I run a data communications company, Kaon Technologies, which employs five staff. I have worked in the New Zealand computer industry for 31 years and keep myself busy designing and building secure data networks, writing, and keeping my staff in line. I have always been interested in flying so when Carol, my ex wife, suggested a flying lesson on my birthday in 1995 I was out of the door like a shot! Within 9 months I had my private pilot license and now have ratings on five types of aircraft including the Europa. During my initial training period I kept seeing adverts for the Europa and decided that I had to have one. I discussed the project with Carol over several months and finally permission to build was granted. In June 2000 I became the first person in New Zealand to gain a Europa type rating and at the same time made the first flight of a New Zealand registered Europa.. ZK-UBD.

I decided to put my builders log on the net primarily so that other people can share this fascinating experience. If you enjoy what I have written it makes it all worth while. If you get enthusiastic about building then I am doubly pleased.

If you have a specific query about the build then email me at tonyk@kaon.co.nz . If you want to make a general comment about the site and have it become part of the permanent record then visit my guestbook using the link at the bottom of this page.

(Thanks to Graham Singleton for taking this photo of me at the controls of ZK-UBD airborne over South Auckland, February 2003).

WWW Search This Log

Europa vs Europa XS

The aircraft I am building in an original specification Europa with a number of modifications to bring it as close to Europa XS specification as practical. The major change in construction process between the original Europa and the XS specification is that the wings on the XS come largely pre assembled and finished thus saving the builder many months of work. The fin on the XS kit is part of the upper fuselage moulding rather than being foam block construction on the original kit. Whereas many Classic builders take 7 years or more to build the aircraft 2-3 years is the norm for the XS with even shorter build times being achieved by those purchasing the rapid build kit. The XS has further cosmetic changes including new cowlings and reconfigured interior and a major operational modification in the form of a redesigned tailwheel configuration.

The optional modifications I am fitting to my kit are as follows...

• Fuel tank capacitance gauge fitted. PFA approved modification.
• Europa XS cockpit rear bulkhead. Factory supplied modification.
• Europa XS fuel filler. Factory supplied modification.
• Wing mounted pitot/static. Factory supplied modification.
• Fuel drains fitted. Factory supplied modification.
• Long fuel vent fitted. Factory supplied modification
• Europa XS tailwheel configuration. Factory supplied modification.
• Europa XS cowlings. Factory supplied XS stage 4 kit.
• Stabilator pip pin covers. Builder developed modification.
• Manual parking brake. Developed by another builder.
• GFlight Revised XS tailwheel configuration.  PFA approved mod.
• GFlight sternpost.
• Builder developed flap arm fairings.
• Maximum All Up Weight Increase to 1370lb. Factory supplied modification.
• Retract arm support bracket. Factory supplied modification.
• Cranked control stick. Factory supplied modification.
• Andair gascolator and fuel selector fitted.
• LA Mod fitted. Builder developed variant of factory supplied modification.
• Stabilator trim tab arm retaining plates. Builder developed modification.
• Relocated fuel sight gauge. Builder developed modification.
• XS brake support block fitted. Factory supplied modification.
• Second 8A alternator fitted to Rotax 914. Builder modification.
• Speed Up Kit Fitted. Factory supplied modification.
• Electronic Fuel gauge fitted. Builder developed modification
• Airmaster Constant Speed propeller fitted.

My Builders Log

This builders log is divided into pages with each page representing one month of the build process (except for the first two months) . I apologise for the typography and occasional spelling mistake, maybe one day I will have the time to clean the documents up a bit. In the meantime I have a plane to build.....

If you decide to follow any of the techniques shown within this log then you do so at your own risk. The Europa builder's manual and advice of your local inspector or technical advisor should be the primary references for constructing your aircraft.

I laid up the pages with the picture of the paper binders the same width as my page. If you adjust your browser the same way you will get the best views of my log.

1996

• April 1996, The Adventure Begins
• May 1996, The Adventure Begins
• June 1996, The Tail of a Plane
• July 1996, The Tail of a Plane Continues
• August 1996, Stabilator One
• September 1996, Mostly Intermission
• October 1996, Stabilator Two
• November 1996, Winging It (At Last)
• December 1996, Port Wing,

1997

• January 1997, More Port Wing... and Stabilators Complete,
• February 1997, Mostly Port - But a Bit of Starboard Too
• March 1997, Still Winging It
• April 1997 A bit of a break, and a Wing Layup
• May 1997, Winging on
• June 1997, The Rear Layups, and a bit of a flap
• July 1997, Rear Layups Still
• August 1997, Wing Closeouts
• September 1997, Closeouts Closed off and a holiday
• October 1997, More holiday and wing assembly
• November 1997, In a Flap
• December 1997, Flapping On

1998

• January 1998, Control System Rigging
• February 1998, Wing Rigging & The Cockpit Module
• March 1998, Cockpit Module
• April 1998, The Ecstasy, and the Agony
• May 1998, Lower Fuselage, Getting Stuck In
• June 1998, Heads and Tails
• July 1998, Tails and Heads
• August 1998, Top On
• September 1998, Cooking Lessons
• October 1998, Little Bits and Another Trip
• November 1998, More Little Bits
• December 1998, The End of a tail. (Well Almost!)

1999

• January 1999, End of a tail (Well almost, part deux)
• February 1999, Hopping Along
• March 1999, Mostly not a lot at all!
• April 1999, A Miscellany
• May 1999, Wing Rigging at Last
• June 1999, Flap Rigging
• July 1999, Little Bits
• August 1999, Flaps Working!
• September 1999 Getting Ready to Close Up
• October 1999 Half a month!
• November 1999, Instrument Panel Started
• December 1999, Closing Up

2000

• January 2000, Out of the Jig
• February 2000, Elbow Grease
• March 2000, Fuselage Priming
• April 2000, Doors & Panel
• May 2000, Prime, Sand, Prime, Sand, P...
• June 2000, Like a Pig in Clover
• July 2000, Mostly Break
• August 2000, The Doors
• September 2000, The Engine Arrives
• October 2000, Windscreen In
• November 2000, Fuselage Painted
• December 2000, Sun and Sand(ing)

2001

• January 2001, Sun and (Real) Sand
• February 2001, Early One Morning,,,,,
• March 2001, The Doors
• April 2001, Just Flew
• May 2001, In Which I Learn to Sew
• June 2001, Through the Firewall
• July 2001, The Red Connector Connects to the....
• August 2001, Wiring Continues
• September 2001, Sometimes the Best Laid Plans
• October 2001, One Step Forward, Three Back
• November 2001, Too much work - too little play
• December 2001, Let Us Spray

2002

• January 2002, Sand and Shine
• February 2002 On to the Engine
• March 2002, Centre of Gravity Shift
• April 2002, Cowlings
• May 2002, Engine Plumbing
• June 2002, A Distinct Case of Deja Vu
• July 2002, Still Remodelling
• August 2002, Lots of Little Bits
• September 2002, Life's a Beach (Some of the Time!)
• October 2002, The White Wire Connects to the White Wire
• November 2002, Top Gloss Off!
• December 2002, Back to Primer

2003

• January 2003, Exodus
• February 2003, Exodus Chapter Two
• March 2003, Wing Filling
• April 2003, Goodbye Month!
• May 2003, Wing Filling Continues
• June 2003, Off to the Painters
• July 2003, The Waiting!
• August 2003, My Baby Came Home :)
• September 2003, Back to the Tail
• October 2003, In Memorium
• November 2003, Stabilator Fix
• December 2003, Pause...

2004

• January 2004, Back Into It..Almost!
• February 2004 Crrrunch
• March 2004, Wiring
• April 2004, A Little Trip
• May 2004, Work and Wiring
• June 2004, A Break
• July 2004, Panel
• August 2004, More Panel
• September - December 2000, Pause

2005

• January 2005, Back again

Flying the Europa, Personal Experiences

Latest update, October 2002

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