Canopy frame help needed...
 

I'm at my wits end trying to get the canopy frame adjusted to fit correctly on my 9A. This is literally the first time I've been so frustrated on the build that I was ready to $hitcan the whole project. If there is anyone near the Midland, TX area with a successful frame behind them that would be willing to put an eyeball on my basket case before I melt it down for scrap, I would greatly appreciate it. At this point I'm wondering if I could convert it to an open cockpit...

PM Sent... :)

Greg seems to be happier already... :D

Hi Reiley,

you couldn't send me that calming message as well? I've started and stopped in frustration on this component at least 5 times. I'm just arranging to pick up a replacement frame from a guy in South Australia who ended up with two. The one supplied was so outrageously unsymmetrical that I thought it best to start again. I even managed to break the rear hoop trying to compensate for the misalignemnt of the longitudinal central bar. The great worry is that the new one might be worse.

Thanks in anticipation

are you doing a slider or a tip up?

Sounds like a slider.......... We don't have that problem with the tilt up........:D

Thanks to LifeofReiley, yes I am somewhat more calm this evening.

I've backed off the ledge a bit, got a few ideas about which battles to fight and which ones don't matter, and I'm most definitely grateful for the help. I'm going to try to fly down to 7T4 on Monday to watch a canopy take form so I know a little better what I'm facing and how to tackle it.

I've done a lot of things in my life and consider myself pretty much prepared to take on any challenge that comes at me - with this airplane project I've been completely kosher with every part of the build from airframe assembly to wiring to engine build to interior, with the exception of the canopy. Give me metal and wire anyday, and I'm a happy camper. Plastic and fiberglass give me the heebiejeebies, that stuff is for boats.

I am curious to know if you had to alter your roll bar in anyway when fitting it?

I didn't alter mine, i stretched my fuselage to fit it- and I have now received two frames from vans that dropped right in and fit perfectly with no altering

If it's any consolation, I've fitted 3 of them now- and in each case, the aft bow was asymmetrical as received. The arc of the passenger half was substantially different than the pilot side. If memory serves, the passenger side had a tighter arc than the pilot's side, and all were the same. Verified by tracing the bow on a big piece of paper, then flipping the paper over and setting the bow back on it.

I spent a ridiculous number of hours trying to straighten mine, the first one I worked on, solo. I was ready to turn it in for the scrap metal value one day, when I found myself in the hangar with a couple of insightful helpers (they were helping me drink my beer). I had previously cut some arc shapes from pieces of 2x4 that I was using as forms/bending jigs, and had them bolted to a table. About 45 minutes after the inspiration to get it straight, once and for all, we were done.

A long-winded way of saying that this is one place where help is very helpful.

Yes, the pilots side curvature is definitely different from the copilot side, both the canopy frame and the windshield frame. After several conversations with Darrel, I am going to utterly fail to panic until I have a chance to see one come together at his hangar later this week.