Check your canopy alignment pin

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Check your canopy alignment pin

Postby mike.smith » Sun Jan 24, 2016 8:34 pm

Just one more thing to look for in your inspections and annuals: after flying last week I found the tapped threads holding the alignment pin in the left rail, so loose that the pin dropped free with just a little tug. I ordered a threaded insert to install in the stripped hole, so I can reinstall the pin.
Mike Smith
Sonex N439M
Scratch built, AeroVee, Dual stick, Tail dragger
http://www.mykitlog.com/mikesmith
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Re: Check your canopy alignment pin

Postby N111YX » Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:04 pm

Like many others I suppose, I utilized a inch or so of square aluminum bar pushed inside the frame member and secured with loc-tited countersunk screws. The pin is then tapped/screwed into this piece. It will be many times stronger.
Kip

2010 Waiex 0082 (first flight May 2010)
Jabiru 3300 #1637 and #3035
Dynon D-180
Becker radios
Garmin GDL 82 ADS-B
1175 hours
48 states visited
Based near Atlanta

Also flying a...
2000 Kolb Firestar II, Rotax 503, 575 hours
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Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:43 am
Location: Atlanta, GA USA

Re: Check your canopy alignment pin

Postby mike.smith » Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:07 pm

N111YX wrote:Like many others I suppose, I utilized a inch or so of square aluminum bar pushed inside the frame member and secured with loc-tited countersunk screws. The pin is then tapped/screwed into this piece. It will be many times stronger.


I supposed that's what I get for following the plans ;-)
Mike Smith
Sonex N439M
Scratch built, AeroVee, Dual stick, Tail dragger
http://www.mykitlog.com/mikesmith
mike.smith
 
Posts: 1425
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:45 pm

Re: Check your canopy alignment pin

Postby N111YX » Mon Jan 25, 2016 7:40 am

That's one task in the plans that I just don't understand why it designed that way, Mike. It just seems too weak. The only other one that comes to mind is the use of one pin for the gear leg fairings that are inserted from inside the fuselage. It's way better to use two that are inserted at the faring itself, not for strength, but rather convenience.
Kip

2010 Waiex 0082 (first flight May 2010)
Jabiru 3300 #1637 and #3035
Dynon D-180
Becker radios
Garmin GDL 82 ADS-B
1175 hours
48 states visited
Based near Atlanta

Also flying a...
2000 Kolb Firestar II, Rotax 503, 575 hours
N111YX
 
Posts: 711
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:43 am
Location: Atlanta, GA USA

Re: Check your canopy alignment pin

Postby mike.smith » Mon Jan 25, 2016 11:09 pm

N111YX wrote:That's one task in the plans that I just don't understand why it designed that way, Mike. It just seems too weak.


As I've discovered.

N111YX wrote:The only other one that comes to mind is the use of one pin for the gear leg fairings that are inserted from inside the fuselage. It's way better to use two that are inserted at the faring itself, not for strength, but rather convenience.


That one I did do :-)
Mike Smith
Sonex N439M
Scratch built, AeroVee, Dual stick, Tail dragger
http://www.mykitlog.com/mikesmith
mike.smith
 
Posts: 1425
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:45 pm


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