Canopy age

Canopy age

Postby Kai » Wed Feb 04, 2015 3:20 pm

Sonex #0525 took to the air May 5, 2005.

The kit was delivered in 2003, which makes the still original canopy almost 12 years old. Now, maybe because of UV-light, ozone, age or whatever, I find that it gets increasingly brittle. This manifests itself in such a way that it starts to crack around the hinge rivet holes on the right side.

Anyone with the same experience? Anything that can be done about it?

Thanks
Kai
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Re: Canopy age

Postby fastj22 » Wed Feb 04, 2015 11:01 pm

My original canopy was circa 2007. I installed it 2012. it was already rather brittle and cracked when I overtightened it to the frame. The replacement canopy I purchased in 2013 was much more rubbery. So far, its still crack free and fine. I would expect after as many years as you have seen, that it might get old and brittle like I too have become.

John Gillis
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First flight, 3/16/2013. 403 hours and climbing.
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