Canopy latch mod

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Canopy latch mod

Postby Fastcapy » Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:08 pm

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Last edited by Fastcapy on Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Beck
Oshkosh, WI (KOSH)
Sonex #1145 N920MB
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MGL Panel
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Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby mike.smith » Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:27 pm

Fastcapy wrote:I put a new Matco pneumatic 6" tailwheel on to quiet the loud banging I had with the hockey puck called for in the plans (what a difference). Anyway, I did some taxi tests the other day to test it out and got the full greenhouse effect of the canopy. My AveoAir vents dont give me much airflow at taxi speed so was thinking of doing the canopy latch mod to get some more airflow when at taxi speeds.

I know some have done this mod and I was wondering if anyone here who has done it could tell me what size angle they used and how far apart they made the latching slots.

Thanks!


The long leg is 4"

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 904&row=53

Mike
Mike Smith
Sonex N439M
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Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby Fastcapy » Sat Apr 26, 2014 1:12 pm

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Last edited by Fastcapy on Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Beck
Oshkosh, WI (KOSH)
Sonex #1145 N920MB
Std Gear, Modified Aerovee, Rotec TBI, Dual Stick, Acro Ailerons
MGL Panel
Airworthiness: 10/24/13, First Flight: 05/18/14
Fastcapy
 
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:45 am
Location: KOSH

Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby mike.smith » Sat Apr 26, 2014 3:20 pm

Fastcapy wrote:Where did you find 1/8in thick angle with the 4in width. All I seem to find is 1/4in thick stuff in that size.


I think you actually need to look for a 4" CHANNEL. I don't remember if I found .125 (1/8") thickness, or just something close, like this:

http://www.discountsteel.com/items/6061 ... &size_no=5

There is an inside radius on a channel, so you might need to check to make sure it's not too large compared to the radius of the outside corner of the aluminum tube that makes up the bottom rail of the canopy structure. It looks like "Aluminum Association" channels are the profile you want (rather than American Standard):
http://www.who-sells-it.com/cy/metals-d ... ge-19.html

Mike
Mike Smith
Sonex N439M
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Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby rizzz » Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:55 pm

I did not make mine quite as long so I was able to use a 2.5" angle:
Image
Image
Time will tell if this is enough to allow a cool breeze to get into the cockpit.
Michael
Sonex #145 from scratch (mostly)
Taildragger, 2.4L VW engine, AeroInjector, Prince 54x48 P-Tip
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Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby gammaxy » Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:49 pm

How do you keep the canopy from opening when it is in the second set of notches? On mine the canopy is flexible enough to allow it to slide backwards and unlatch, even with the lock pin in place. This is because that bullet shaped guide pin isn't long enough for the second set of notches.

Do others make a longer guide pin? I'm considering this, but a little worried that the longer lever arm will damage the threaded hole, so would like to see what method others have been successful with.
Chris Madsen
Aerovee Sonex N256CM
Flying since September 2014
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Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby radfordc » Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:46 pm

I use a small aluminun tab that slips into the slot and prevents the canopy rail from slidding back.
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Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby gammaxy » Mon Sep 01, 2014 8:41 pm

I use a small aluminun tab that slips into the slot and prevents the canopy rail from slidding back.


That seems like a great solution. Thanks.
Chris Madsen
Aerovee Sonex N256CM
Flying since September 2014
Build log: http://chrismadsen.org
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Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby mike.smith » Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:51 pm

Here is what I did. The same locking pin that holds the canopy fully closed, also keeps it in the partially open position:

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 6165&row=1

When on the outside of the airplane I can just slip my hand in between the canopy and fuselage (pin in hand) and slide the pin in place. So I can leave the canopy partially open and, unless someone is willing to reach in and pull the pin, be fairly certain it won't get opened up.

Mike Smith
Sonex N439M
Mike Smith
Sonex N439M
Scratch built, AeroVee, Dual stick, Tail dragger
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Re: Canopy latch mod

Postby radfordc » Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:56 am

Here is how I did mine.

Image

Image
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