billy's plans built sonex 1735

[Rofomoto]

Billy,
I fit my canopy before I even made the frame. Clamped the square tubes to the siderails, put the wood pieces on the bulkhead, and went at it. I'll send you the emails of my sequence tonight.

Thanx Bryan. My email rofomoto@gmail.com

[Gordon]

Build Canopy Frame First

Fitting the plexiglass canopy to the fuselage BEFORE building the canopy frame is a "new one'' on me. I have built 4 tip up canopies on RV's and also my Onex canopy. The frame is ALWAYS built first. You fit the plexiglass canopy to the frame.........not the frame to the canopy.

But if that works for you.....then go for it. Proceed at your own peril.

Gordon......Hummel....Onex....(RV repeat offender)

[Rofomoto]

I guess there’s always 2ways. Have you done your sonex canopy yet? Thanx

[Bryan Cotton]

Build Canopy Frame First

Fitting the plexiglass canopy to the fuselage BEFORE building the canopy frame is a "new one'' on me. I have built 4 tip up canopies on RV's and also my Onex canopy. The frame is ALWAYS built first. You fit the plexiglass canopy to the frame.........not the frame to the canopy.

But if that works for you.....then go for it. Proceed at your own peril.

Gordon......Hummel....Onex....(RV repeat offender)

My peril worked out pretty good! I heard all the horror stories about the canopy but honestly we found it to be a pretty easy job. Canopy to airframe, frame to airframe, then frame to canopy.

[Bryan Cotton]

I'll also add that the Waiex canopy and frame are pretty floppy. The airframe is not. By making the two parts fit the airframe, and then fit each other while on the airframe, they fit the airframe. The canopy assembly, when all riveted together, is still pretty floppy until you close and latch it.

[dirkverdonck]

Hello,
To my opinion, it is perfectly doable to cut and fit the canopy without the frame on a Onex as you have a lip in the front for support. In the back, I cut up the template that I made for the frame and attached it to the front turtledeck bulkhead taking into account the thickness of the canopy. I then cut up the canopy until it fitted and was aligned with the turtledeck and windscreen.
Then I put in the frame and drilled and tapped thread into the frame.

[Rofomoto]

Thanx for all the help with canopy suggestions. Now I guess I have to bite the bullet and get the canopy.

[Gordon]

Canopy Frame First

I am not surprised by all the "blow back" from the Sonex builders regarding "building the frame first".

All those previous "Van's builds" can cause a person to have a "one track mind".

I DID build my canopy frame first on my Onex and it worked out perfectly and may have speed up the process somewhat.

Actually the "whole build" went quickly on the Onex.......1st rivet to 1st flight was only 15 months.

Gordon........Hummel 2400......Onex

[Rofomoto]

Removable Panel cut bent and drilled.

[Rofomoto]