The choice of braking
Mono Brake
Trigear brakes:
Foot operated
Finger brakes
Factory first kit (Jamar)
Factory revised kit (Matco)
The article attached has great suggestions: Brake fluids, Seals, pads, O rings and Brakes
Bleeding the brakes on the XS MONOWHEEL
Needs Allan keys. Screw the alu reservoir into the filler hole on the master cylinder. Then fill the syringe with fluid, attach a short length of plastic tubing, and attach to the bleed nipple on the slave cylinder. Slacken the bleed nipple and inject the fluid. When all 10 mls are injected, tighten the bleed nipple, refil the syringe and repeat. It takes 2 - 3 10 ml syringes to fill the system. When fluid with no air bubbles flows into the reservoir, tighten the bleed nipple and remove some fluid from the reservoir until it is about a third full. Then pull the brake lever until no more air is expelled. Release the lever slowly and watch the level of fluid in the reservior as it drops to make sure no air is sucked into the master cylinder. Repeat until no more air is expelled from the master cylinder. Finally pull the brake lever back just a quarter of an inch, empty the reservoir with the syringe, and release the brake lever, so that the fluid level drops just below the filler hole in the master cylinder. That then lets you unscrew the reservoir without brake fluid leaking everywhere. Replace the filler cap, check the bleed nipple is fully tightened, and the system should be bled.
For Monos, its also important to raise the tail in an attempt to purge bubbles in the MC that get trapped in its forward end as a result of the deck angle. Ideally the fuselage needs to be pointing downhill a bit for the bleeding operation
Clive Sutton
Responsibilities:
a) Progressing Committee-selected builder Modifications to Standard MOD level with the UK LAA,
b) Ensuring website information about Europa Modifications for both marques are as accurate as possible and accessible to the Worldwide Membership through the website
c) Holding/managing the Clubs’ Loaned Tool Cache
Flying & Europa experience to date
Clive has >500hrs in his UK SEP PPL(A) logbook now, of which 135 are Mono and 170 are TriGear – this in addition to experience in PA28 and PA28R, Bulldog, C172, C152, Islander, Caravan (Uganda) and PA18 Cub including floats – and has a night rating. Clive has gone solo in winch-launched K13 and K8 Gliders.
Flying ambitions
Touring that visits offshore islands - and (when funds allow) uprating his Classic XS FFwd to a set of MG wings, is also of interest.
Relevant skills & experience
After a 7-year stint in the RAF in ground Engineering from 1978, Clive worked in a number of Consulting companies specialising in Noise and Vibration troubleshooting, before working in a Senior Mgt role in Corus Automotive (now Tata Steel). He retired in 2018 but subsequently returned to work 2D/week at a Part-145/Part-CAO and BCAR A8-23 & 25 Aircraft maintenance facility - in support of his BMAA and LAA Inspector applications. These authorisations were awarded in 2023 and 2024 - including amongst other types, for Composite Airframe types.
Clive has considerable experience in navigating the LAA system that regulates Modifications – indeed has created a number of Europa-specific Modifications (14179 Alternative positioned Mono brake Master Cylinder, 14467 Tunnel-top fuel tap, 14588 Mono 135-degree enclosed Mudguard, 15339 Coolant Radiator Fan + Inspection door vent & 13072 Forward-facing Conspicuity light). In his Modifications Secretary role, Clive meets regularly with Andy Draper at the LAA to help progress the transition of existing Prototype MODs to Standard MOD status (Mono Gear lock spring [10755] & Rotary Vents [12871], are examples).
Locality
Having lived, travelled or worked in most of the World (Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA), Clive now lives in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK: about an hour’s drive from the LAA’s HQ at Turweston in the UK Midlands.
Contact: CliveSutton@theeuropaclub.org
