Rumors of serious trouble with the once-high-flying Europa kit
aircraft operation in the UK have been confirmed at Oshkosh 2004.
After a number of complaints from builders were reported to ANN;
evidence accumulated that confirmed that a number of orders for
parts and components have gone undelivered, calls are not being
returned, and the UK company is now embroiled in legal difficulties
that one Oshkosh display staffer and kit-builder termed
"Bankruptcy" (or the UK equivalent).
This German manufactured aircraft, designated SC-01B by the FAA,
packs a lot of good things in a small package. It will carry two
people at a nifty 156Kts, using only 8.5 GPH. The aircraft will
travel about 1,000 miles before needing a fuel stop It is full IFR.
There's one slight drawback: Pack light. There's a 30-pound limit
on baggage. Owner Mike McEvoy flies into Oshkosh from California
each year. He had hoped to participate in this years AirVenture Cup
Race but mechanical difficulties have kept him from competing.
Mechanical issues also forced him to drop out of the race last
year. But McEvoy is plucky. He promises to be back next year.
Sometimes, AirVenture can be just a bit much for a young body.
So it seemed with this young man, caught napping on the dock at the
Seaplane base in Oshkosh (WI).
On July 31st, 1992, Young Eagle's Chairman Cliff Robertson and
EAA President Tom Poberezny flew the first Young Eagles at
AirVenture. From that point on, it was the EAA's mission to fly a
million young people by the 100th anniversary of powered flight in
2003.
In 1994, General Chuck Yeager (USAF, Ret.) took over as chairman of
the Young Eagle's program. He continued the quest until March,
2004. Over the past several years, Ford has done his share, flying
almost 200 Young Eagles and taking the reigns as the newest
chairman.
Read More
