Europa Aircraft
Encyclopedia
Europa Aircraft is a British kitplane
manufacturer that produces the Europa XS
.
The company was established to produce a small kit-built low-wing aircraft for personal use within Europe, with these design goals: high speed, low cost, able to be built and stored at home, easily transportable, using Mogas fuel, able to be be rigged for flight in under five minutes, carrying two people in comfort, providing sufficient baggage for extended touring. Apart from "low cost", these design parameters were largely met.
The original Europa was designed by Ivan Shaw and the prototype first flew in February 1992. Production was established at the company's factory in Kirkbymoorside
, Yorkshire.
Ivan Shaw left Europa to develop the Europa-derivative Liberty XL2
production aircraft at a new company, Liberty Aerospace
, in Melbourne, Florida
, United States. After he left, the firm faced considerable difficulties; but in September 2008, company fortunes improved as Europa Aircraft was acquired by British company, Swift Technology Group. Other companies within the Group include Swift Aircraft, Swift TG Solutions and Aviation and Marine Engineering Ltd.
In the early 1990s the company was grant by the UK Department of Trade and Industry in recognition of its technical achievements. Europa Aircraft has grown to be one of the most successful British kit plane suppliers, with over 700 Europas flying in 33 countries. The Europa XS
was named as one of the UK's Millennium Products by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair
, and described by Pilot magazine as "the most significant light plane of the decade".
Homebuilt aircraft
Also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, homebuilt aircraft are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.-Overview:...
manufacturer that produces the Europa XS
Europa XS
The Europa XS and Europa Classic are a family of British composite two-place low-wing monoplanes, manufactured by Europa Aircraft and supplied as kits for amateur construction. More than 450 Europas have been completed....
.
The company was established to produce a small kit-built low-wing aircraft for personal use within Europe, with these design goals: high speed, low cost, able to be built and stored at home, easily transportable, using Mogas fuel, able to be be rigged for flight in under five minutes, carrying two people in comfort, providing sufficient baggage for extended touring. Apart from "low cost", these design parameters were largely met.
History
Europa Aircraft has existed under several company names, the current name is Europa Aircraft (2004) Ltd. The manufacturing of the Europa range of aircraft is carried out by a sister company, Aviation and Marine Engineering Ltd. Both companies are located in the same premises.The original Europa was designed by Ivan Shaw and the prototype first flew in February 1992. Production was established at the company's factory in Kirkbymoorside
Kirkbymoorside
Kirkbymoorside is a small market town and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England which lies approximately 25 miles north of York midway between Pickering and Helmsley, and has a population of approximately 3,000.-History:...
, Yorkshire.
Ivan Shaw left Europa to develop the Europa-derivative Liberty XL2
Liberty XL2
The Liberty XL2 is a two-seat, low-wing, general aviation aircraft manufactured by Liberty Aerospace of Melbourne, Florida for the personal transportation, touring and flight training roles.-Development:...
production aircraft at a new company, Liberty Aerospace
Liberty Aerospace
Liberty Aerospace is a manufacturer of general aviation aircraft based in Melbourne, Florida.The company produces one model, the Liberty XL2, an advanced two-seat touring aircraft based on the British-designed Europa homebuilt airplane...
, in Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
, United States. After he left, the firm faced considerable difficulties; but in September 2008, company fortunes improved as Europa Aircraft was acquired by British company, Swift Technology Group. Other companies within the Group include Swift Aircraft, Swift TG Solutions and Aviation and Marine Engineering Ltd.
In the early 1990s the company was grant by the UK Department of Trade and Industry in recognition of its technical achievements. Europa Aircraft has grown to be one of the most successful British kit plane suppliers, with over 700 Europas flying in 33 countries. The Europa XS
Europa XS
The Europa XS and Europa Classic are a family of British composite two-place low-wing monoplanes, manufactured by Europa Aircraft and supplied as kits for amateur construction. More than 450 Europas have been completed....
was named as one of the UK's Millennium Products by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
, and described by Pilot magazine as "the most significant light plane of the decade".