Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Discussion for builders, pilots, owners, and those interested in building or owning a second generation Sonex or Waiex.

Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Postby Dareha » Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:14 am

Does anyone have ideas about a new sliding canopy for the new B models? I have never been a big supporter of the side flip canopy. A canopy that slides back allows so much more. Would the slide canopy used by the Sonex group still work?
Thank you
Darrell
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Re: Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Postby wlarson861 » Sat Feb 20, 2016 2:14 am

I think you mean swing back. I don't know of a sliding canopy on a Sonex. I put a swing back on my Sonex that I field engineered mostly on my own. If the B Model uses a support structure the same as the original plans canopy frame then it would be very easy to convert. However, realize that the swing back is more weight and more work/time than following the plans. I accepted these conditions and am still happy with my decision to go the swing back route.
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Re: Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Postby DCASonex » Sat Feb 20, 2016 9:24 am

The straight sided fuselage of the B model does open up the possibilities for a sliding canopy.

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Re: Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Postby Ercoupechris » Sat Feb 20, 2016 10:16 am

Does anyone know the actual weight penalty in pounds for the flip back canopy ?
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Re: Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Postby wlarson861 » Sat Feb 20, 2016 1:10 pm

It's around 5 pounds or less. The three swing arms, right side latch and right wing walk are the parts added to the original design. I didn't weigh the parts prior to installing them so this is just a guess.
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Re: Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Postby fastj22 » Sat Feb 20, 2016 5:51 pm

I agree, no more than 5 lbs.

John Gillis
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First flight, 3/16/2013. 403 hours and climbing.
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Re: Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Postby Waiex 49 » Sat Feb 20, 2016 6:51 pm

I purchased the swing back canopy kit.
Haven't installed it yet. Will get to that project next winter.
The kit weighed in around 4 1/2 pounds.
Probably around another pound or so for the right side wing walk.
My opinion is that it is well worth the added weight, as I consider the side opening canopy a weak point in an otherwise good airframe design.
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Re: Sliding canopy for Sonex/Waiex B

Postby fastj22 » Sat Feb 20, 2016 9:12 pm

A sliding canopy would probably weigh as much as a swing back. You won't need the swing arms or the hinge points, but you would need three tracks. I think it would be better than the swing back though. I can't throttle above 1500 RPM with my swing back because it lifts the canopy off the back and bangs it back down. Both would be far more rigid in the open state than the tip over style.
Looking forward to seeing how B builders roll their own.

John Gillis
SEL Private, Comm Glider, Tow pilot (Pawnee Driver)
Waiex N116YX, Jabiru 3300, Tail dragger,
First flight, 3/16/2013. 403 hours and climbing.
Home: CO15. KOSH x 5
Flying a B-Model Conversion (Super Bee Baby!)
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