RV-12 Canopy Incident - Page 5

Piper J3 · #41 07-09-2016, 08:08 AM

Scott -

I like your fix. I'm currently using a bungee cord since this problem came to light. I'll copy your design only make from aluminum. Elegant solution, good pics...

scottmillhouse · #42 07-09-2016, 12:32 PM

Flew with the safety catch today. You quickly get the feel to engage and disengage the catch about like fully latching the canopy. Tested with a full runup and it works great but I still plan to fully latch for the short runup time before takeoff just in case during taxi there are any latch position movements. From scratch I would probably use aluminum and rather than a slot, match drill for the three rivets but hey, the bracket was in my junk box needing only minor modifications. Will paint to match roll bar and probably round corners more and dip in PlastiCoat to protect the handle power coat.

rvbuilder2002 · #43 07-11-2016, 11:21 AM

A revised all steel gas strut has been developed for the RV-12 canopy installation to increased durability. The new struts replace the plastic ends of the original strut with a robust steel end fitting welded to the ends of the struts.

Testing done during development has shown that the aircraft structure will begin to yield before the new strut design fails. In short, the struts will not be a failure point, allowing the canopy to open further than designed. However, we make no guarantee that a 737 taxing by an open canopy will not be an issue!

New bushings and hardware are required to mount the new struts.

If desired, order "12 Canopy Gas Strut Kit" and install it on your airplane using the latest revision of RV-12 Section 34: Canopy Installation, available from the Van's Aircraft website: http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/service-rv12.htm

BTW, the kit is now available via a search in the web store.

Cyclone · #44 07-11-2016, 06:22 PM

My 12 finish kit is on order scheduled to arrive in August. Are the new struts included or will these only be available as an upgrade?

RFSchaller · #45 07-11-2016, 09:18 PM

Denny, can't answer your question directly, but today I talked to the mothership and was told they will probably back order my struts because they only received. A few sets.

BTW the kit is about $50 for new struts.

Rich

rvbuilder2002 · #46 07-11-2016, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclone

My 12 finish kit is on order scheduled to arrive in August. Are the new struts included or will these only be available as an upgrade?

I think the original e-mail notification said that it applied to any one with a flying airplane or that had already received a finish kit, so I believe the intent is that all future kits will receive the updated struts.

Jetguy · #47 07-12-2016, 07:24 AM

Can the Mother Ship bring a set of new struts to OSH for display?

rvbuilder2002 · #48 07-12-2016, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetguy

Can the Mother Ship bring a set of new struts to OSH for display?

Probably not.... they are currently in somewhat short supply.

A pretty decent photo is available HERE

engineerofsorts · #49 07-12-2016, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetguy

Can the Mother Ship bring a set of new struts to OSH for display?

John, I got mine on order. Assuming I got in early enough to not be on back order, you can check mine out (installed on N73HR) next Saturday.

Jesse · #50 07-12-2016, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bret

O NO! did anyone get hurt, that could have been real bad! So sorry for this person, so much work goes into these things. is this considered a required prop strike teardown or does this not apply to Rotax?

This definitely requires a prop strike inspection, but because of the gearbox on the Rotax the inspection is different than on a Lycoming. I think it just needs a gearbox tear down.