Anyone remember the Practavia Sprite?

Doesn’t sound too promising does it? just hope that things come out OK for all concerned. It would be a shame to see so many years work go to waste.

Posted from elsewhere.

Hello All on the list,

Ok, Dave Bosomworth, (still..) Europa Club Chairman here – Just got back from the PFA rally, Kemble, UK, kissed wife, eaten, kicked dog, sat down and just read through the emails.

WHOOOOAAH everyone……..

First a bit of backgound:
The Europa Club was set up 10 years ago with the primary aim of supporting its Members through promoting the building, owning and operating of the Europa type. The Club expanded as Europa owners worldwide joined, and obviously liked what they got.
1 Let me get one think straight: Membership is voluntary – if you personally feel that there is more chance of support and more ‘voice’ as a group, join the Club. For that support, those Members who volunteered to manage the Club, the Committee, will try there damndest to help you.
2 If you had not been too bothered about joining the Club before, but recent events have made you re-consider, that is your decision – and the committee working for you are grateful-see 1.
3 If you do not wish to join at all, for whatever reasons, and obviously do not have much time for what the Club is trying to do because you see it as ‘only working for its Members’, then at least consider these two points: One: I can guarantee that everything you think of has already been considered by the Club committee – Two: The Europa is a UK design, product and business: Although I, and others on the Committee before, have offered, asked and pleaded for more interaction with builders outside the UK, there has been a small number of Europans who have actively knocked our efforts back. Hey, its a free world, a bit of common sense would indicate that, perhaps, a UK centred Club could maybe provide more assistance with a UK based product. That is a fact I offer in good faith.
4 And just to make one thing clear, the new forum was offered to the Club by SteveD, but turned down solely because the present Committee were too busy to support it, and the Matronics list works. Steve has done a great job for those Europa operators with email/internet: What about those who do not have access to a pc?

Right, for all on the list, Members and non Members alike, this is basically what went on over the weekend:-

On friday I found an email direct to me from Keith Wilson just before I left home for the rally. As I had previously promised the list that any new info the Club received would be given at the AGM, thats what I did – cos I’m like that.

On saturday evening the Club held its AGM. Keith Wilson had been invited several times, but had not responded and did not attend, therefore I read out the email, which I reproduce here:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<,
WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Good afternoon Dave

I am sure you are aware that we have been striving to re-structure the Europa organisation over the last few months. Negotiations have been ongoing with a number of interested parties and we are striving to reach a satisfactory conclusion with one group prepared to invest a significant sum into the business. This should ensure the long term financial security of Europa for both our builders and potential customers alike, as well as allowing us to complete our current development plans.

Despite everyone’s very best efforts, we have been unable to complete the arrangements before the PFA Rally at Kemble. After very careful consideration, it was felt inappropriate for Europa to attend the PFA Rally with these clouds of uncertainty around.

Once all of the financial and legal arrangements have been made we will be making a further announcement.

Many thanks for your continued support and patience.

Keith Wilson
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On friday Europa Management International Ltd – whole owners of the US operation, BTW, and yes, John Hurst has done a great job of supporting you guys over the pond, but dont forget Neville and Andy here in the UK who are still supporting us all whilst no doubt under a great deal of pressure – were still trading, but we were informed that they were only taking orders for parts in stock.

Over the entire weekend I was amazed at how positive everyone was about what support could be offered IF anything were to happen to the Factory – but the Factory is still going.

Today, Sunday, at lunchtime I was talking to Dave Calderwood, Editor of the UK’s Pilot magazine, and he told me that Keith Wilson did in fact come to Kemble and the Rally on saturday evening, did a few photography sorties and went briefly through the parked aircraft area before departing: Perhaps he noticed the 100 plus Europa customers enjoying the Club BBQ near the runway as he departed.

Irrespective of the future of Europa Management International Ltd, the Europa Club will continue to support those who feel membership is worthwhile – I have a flying Europa, it occasionally needs replacement parts, were better as one group than individually.

Thank you for your support.
dave bosomworth

Moggy

Moggy.
Your sources are clearly better than mine, in this case. I was unaware that anything is amiss. Has much been said in the aviation press ? I have not been reading the GA mags much for a little while.

The last article I recall seeing was about the Liberty ( if you will allow that in the Europa camp) and the tone suggested that it was full-steam ahead.

I have flown a couple, both very nice in the air, though the take-off in the mono-wheel was odd, bordering on alarming.

Still, the Europa is doing pretty well.

Ah.

Not attending the PFA because the company is desperately seeking a way out of possibly terminal problems = doing pretty well?

Heaven help the strugglers.

Moggy

That was why I was asking, but using MDF would be cheaper!! 😮 According to the great late R. Beamont ‘the Sprite was well made, likeable and easy to fly’ and ‘ Control harmony felt excellent’. With praise like that, I would have thought it should have sold well. :confused:

Whats the reason? Usually first-class engineering, but poor marketing, under investment, and very little chance of making a profit in a relatively small indiginous market.

The schools will usually buy a cheaper-to-operate Cessna or Piper, easy to maintain, and spares everywhere. Probably only a large organisation like Cabair can afford to buy a fleet of new aircraft, and negotiate a bulk discount.

By the way MDF, there is a Sprite for sale in Popular Flying for £14,000 ono, or are you
hoping to build something yourself. Out of MDF, perhaps !?

Politicians?

Dollars?

How do we manage to produce so many good aircraft that go nowhere!!

Another of the great hopes to appear on the UK light aviation scene, and then …. well, nothing really. See also Glos Airtourer, ARV-2, Trago-Mills SAH-2 ( really good, apparently) Britten Norman Nymph. Still, the Europa is doing pretty well.

MDF, I suggest you try posting on the PFA Board ( or get a friend to, if you are not a member) Might get an answer there.