VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #51  
Old 08-23-2015, 09:52 AM
DonFromTX's Avatar
DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
Default

There is no carbon fiber up there, only fiberglass. The attach bolt is actually going thru the aluminum canopy frame, but since it is to be left loose and only going thru support on one side, it is not an ideal attachment.
[u
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex Bonanza Bucko View Post
I think any engineer would want both metal rod ends and a through bolt at the top end. The current design is simply going to fail at some point due to the plastic rod ends breaking out at the top end when the canopy is allowed to open without restraint or in a wind/prop blast that is going to happen sometime in the life of the bird. Even with a metal rod end at the top there will someday be a failure of the screw through the carbon fiber on only one side up there. Van's airplanes are such masterly designed airplanes it's hard to understand how the canopy strut design was allowed in the plan.
EBB
__________________
A&P, PP-SEL, Pathological Flier, EAA Technical Counselor
EAA Chapter 595 President,http://www.595.eaachapter.org/index.htm
Retired US Army Officer
Reply With Quote
  #52  
Old 08-23-2015, 10:03 AM
Mich48041 Mich48041 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Riley TWP MI
Posts: 3,070
Default

OK Don,
I like your idea of using struts with more dampening. It would take longer to open and close, but with less risk of canopy damage.
__________________
Joe Gores
RV-12 Flying
Reply With Quote
  #53  
Old 08-23-2015, 05:46 PM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,820
Default

I prop my canopy open during ground operations with a 1 X 2 block lying on the canopy rail. Even in PHX it provides enough ventilation in summer, but doesn't offer much sail area if the wind gusts.

I have been considering a mod using a 1/8" cable to stop the canopy opening just short of putting stress on the gas strut rod ends. Coupled with that excellent idea using the tubes around the gas strut to prevent sudden closure that should protect me from any incidents.

I won't be doing any work on it until the heat passes here in PHX. Fall would be a good time to try this.

BTW I also leave the upper gas strut attach screws backed out a little to let the rod end move without stressing it. After 350 hrs the only incident I've had was the wind slamming the canopy shut.
Reply With Quote
  #54  
Old 08-23-2015, 07:39 PM
turbo's Avatar
turbo turbo is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Stuart, FL /Hartford, CT/Virgin Gorda,BVI
Posts: 3,122
Default

canopies, canopies, canopies, in the glider world the rule of thumb is to always keep them closed and latched! very expensive. if it is that hot out they will put a canopy cover on. so that is my advice. close it, latch it, and cover it up if it is too hot out.
__________________
TURBO YES =VAF= Payed Jan2019
Ed D'Arcy
RV6-A 5,200+ hrs, R-44 1,600 hrs, Helicycle 320 hrs, gyro sold,35,000 miles flown in 2015
Stuart, Fl / S WINDSOR,Ct / Virgin Gorda, BVI - under major repair from hurricane damage
VAF #840 EAA AOPA FAC FABA QB SPA
addicted pickle ball player
https://i.postimg.cc/tn3h4svg/IMG-3101.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #55  
Old 08-23-2015, 08:31 PM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,820
Default

Good advice, Ed, but we still gotta get in and out of the beasts with the wind blowing!😁
Reply With Quote
  #56  
Old 08-23-2015, 09:20 PM
RVTrumpet's Avatar
RVTrumpet RVTrumpet is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 63
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RFSchaller View Post
Good advice, Ed, but we still gotta get in and out of the beasts with the wind blowing!😁
But you can be concious of the wind, direction, and intensity. It's pretty easy to get in the habit of treating the canopy as a fragile piece of an airplane. Making sure that it is resting on the stops at either end of its travel before removing your hand from the frame or handle, holding the canopy while taxiing if there is any concern about wind blowing it open are not hard habits to get into. Canopies are not like car doors. It is unreasonable to expect them to gracefully tolerate the high shock forces of being slammed open or slammed shut. Off soapbox.
__________________
RV addict for life.

NOTE: The information, ideas, and opinions presented in this post are my own and not those of my employer. Build, test, and fly at your own risk.
Reply With Quote
  #57  
Old 08-24-2015, 10:38 AM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,820
Default

All true, but it is difficult to unload with one hand while holding on to the canopy with the other in a stiff wind.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:33 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.