by karmarepair » Sun Jan 08, 2023 11:29 pm
This all got started when I saw Pete Fernell's setup when I flew with him in Kingman AZ, where the wind blows ALL THE TIME. He used a gas strut. I was INITIALLY happy with my gas strut, the installation of which I described here [url]https://www.facebook.com/groups/158111198219011/posts/988457398517716/?__cft__[0]=AZUlFj9T6m8HHi2lM6a89ApyklL6bOLxuX6DXKgDR0ww6bahAn6dtflLcSpoeQmadn8v_MzH2etIgPJsCDtgPIguJJNs8bedOFK9-FVUocFtc4cr812auBnrJY-c2wYNgs-Opar9_zEvCllyTBsKpUjg&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R[/url], but came to realize the force when it was compressed was distorting the somewhat flimsy frame. Pete's frame hade herkier gussets and was overall stiffer.
The hatch spring is a good bit shorter than the gas strut, particularly extended, which made the geometry pretty restricted, I'd rather have the canopy a little farther "over center" than it ended up being. They have longer hatch springs with different mounting hardware. I also tried various extension springs from the hardware store, but I did not find a "sweet spot" of a spring that would stay in column, but easily release, and had the length I wanted.
I ditched the Sonex limit wire, which as a former rigger, had the wrong fittings, didn't "lead fair", and had no shock absorption. I replaced it with knotted paracord, adjusted so that it's JUST long enough to allow the spring to fall into column. I has some shock absorption, it leads perfectly fair, and it complements the "limit wire " in the hatch spring that keeps that assembly from over-extending.
I like it a LOT, but my airplane is still at the 98% done, 98% to go stage, so it's not battle and ramp tested.