Europa Aircraft XS Monowheel Motorglider, Owner'S Manual

Page: 34 / 96

On a conventional tail wheel aircraft the tail can be lifted quite early in the
take off run because it is not necessary to achieve full aileron or rudder
control.
Even with the tail wheel off the ground the conventional
taildragger is supported on two wheels so ailerons are not necessary at this
early phase of the take off run.
Similarly, if it is found that insufficient rudder control is available, on most
tail wheel aircraft, differential braking can be used to keep the aircraft
tracking straight down the runway.
With the Europa, once the tail wheel has lifted (or been allowed to lift) all
controls are aerodynamic. As the tail rises the outriggers will also move
further from the ground because of their position aft of the main wheel.
The tailplane is the most powerful control on the Europa so it is possible to
raise the tail up before the ailerons and rudder have achieved sufficient
control authority to counter engine torque/blade effect, cross-winds or
asymmetric aircraft loading (heavy pilot with no passenger).
If the tail of the aircraft has been raised too early and the aircraft starts to
weather cock into wind, the pilot only has the rudder control to counter the
swing and does not have the backup afforded by differential braking.
Therefore, the lifting of the tail is delayed a few seconds compared to
conventional tail wheel aircraft.
The normal take off procedure is:-
Open throttle smoothly and keep the aircraft tracking straight with rudder
pedals (be prepared to apply right rudder to counter blade effect).
Note: For those who are not particularly experienced in tail wheel aircraft
the most important aspect of a safe arrival or departure is to keep it
straight , do not allow the nose to wander.
November 2006 XS Monowheel Motorglider
Page 5 - 10 Issue 2 Owners Manual