Cool air vents

[SonexEZ]

thank you all for the information , i think i will get the over head shade and the vans vents not sure where i will put them yet but i wont be flying much like this unless i go early morning glad to here i am not the only one with this problem , dose the over head shade make that much difference ?

[SonexEZ]

What do you have now, the stock Sonex NACA vents?
Many people have modified theuir vents. Some have cut holes in the lower portions of their windscreen and mounted clear round turn vents (similar to those found on large motorcycle fairings). My plane was built with pop-out vents from Vans that do a good job of grabbing a lot of outside air and bringing it in--blasts of it.

The plane can't safely be flown without a canopy.

A canopy shade will help a lot.
For air, the simplest thing for you to do is to fashion a small fitting that allows the canopy to be locked open a few inches for taxi (but it must be removed before takeoff. Many people have done this--the canopy locks into the fitting, and the fitting locks into the canopy rail.

I have the slide back canopy so i can taxi with the canopy open it locks back what size overhead shade do i get i see they have different sizes

[MikePousson]

Before you spend a bunch of cash on a Koger type sun shade, go to a local lumber yard and find the aluminum bubble wrap type of insulation used to insulate hot water tanks. It comes in varying widths and is sold by the foot. (Cheap) also get some velcrose tape with adhesive and some of the fuzzy stuff it stick to. Cut the aluminum insulation to give you good side view and front overhead view. Stick patches of the velcrose on the inside of the canopy and matching patches on the aluminum bubble wrap (for lack of a technical term). You be able to find out pretty quick if blocking direct sun cools it down. The Koger shades are 300+.

Flying n a Sportstar in south Louisana last summer in 85° heat was no go. There might be good cooling airflow, but your head so close to the plastic canopy seemed to just fry the brain.

[sonex892.]

The Kroger shades are 300+.

Small universal Koger to fit Sonex is a bit less. They're $165
http://www.kogersunshades.com/buy-now.html

[Ercoupechris]

Has anyone ever tried a small opening on the leading edge of the wing say 1" with skat tubing run into the cockpit? I've seen this on other aircraft. They have a little screen covering the opening on each wing penetration. It would seem to afford quite a bit of air pressure.

Chris

[kmacht]

instead of the expensive Kroger shade I bought some $5 window tint clings from Walmart. They are used to put on car windows to keep the sun off babies in the back seat. Each one was about 12x12. They adhear by static cling which works awesome on the sonex canopy. You can also reposition them in flight if the sun is shining down on you from a different direction.

Keith
#554

[Bryan Cotton]

Chris,
I installed a set of vents like that on a C140 that didn't have them. Yes it would give lots of air, just like any Cessna. I see two issues though. The first is the flap connection. Seems like a scat tube would make that connection very hard. Second I think the exit location would be poor.

[SonexEZ]

thank you all for the information , i think i will get the over head shade and the vans vents not sure where i will put them yet but i wont be flying much like this unless i go early morning glad to here i am not the only one with this problem , dose the over head shade make that much difference ?

I ordered the snap in vents from aircraft spruce and i odered the over head shade $165 , let me see what that dose if i need more will order the vans vents

[Mustang]

You can also buy shades from Van's Aircraft in Aurora, OR Go on line at Van's . You might see them on their site.

[wlarson861]

I have the Koger shade and Snap vents in the windshield. Both are worth their weight in gold. If I were to replace the Koger it would be with a longer one than what I have. It leaves about 4 inches uncovered before the windshield bow. I don't have the plans vents in the side walls as everyone at the time said they were pretty ineffective. My friend put the Van's RV-10 rear seat vents in his Onex and is happy with the volume of air they supply. Were I to do it over I would have the longer Koger shade and RV-10 vents in the side and smaller Snap vents in the windshield.