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  #11  
Old 01-10-2012, 03:45 PM
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Sam Buchanan Sam Buchanan is offline
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This is the way the handle is "handled" in my 1999 RV-6:



This method is not original with me and many tip-ups have this arrangement. The handle is out-of-sight and uses standard kit pieces, but is reachable for service (I've had the canopy off the plane once in 13 years...). I don't worry about reaching it in flight because I don't think the canopy would leave the plane....and I don't wear a chute.
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  #12  
Old 01-10-2012, 06:29 PM
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caryr caryr is offline
 
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I install the mechanism, like Sam did, and shortened the arm to only protrude thru the sub panel.

I have removed the canopy once since 2004 for maintenance issues.
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  #13  
Old 01-10-2012, 07:05 PM
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LifeofReiley LifeofReiley is offline
 
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I would just take the Jettison out of the picture... like most have for obvious reasons.
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  #14  
Old 01-10-2012, 11:19 PM
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Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robertahegy View Post
When I put mine in, I turned it 90 deg. so the handle was horizontal instead of vertical.
Interesting. The -6 I bought was originally fitted with a jettison handle, but one of the previous owners removed the handle and just bolted the actuating arm to an adjacent flange. I wanted the handle back in, so I bought one from Vans and then fit it to my aircraft.

The interesting thing is that the drawings that came with the handle were ambiguous. One picture showed the handle oriented vertical, but then the drawing showing where to cut the slot and drill the hole in the handle was oriented so that the handle would sit horizontal on the panel.

I still think this is the intended orientation for the handle: If you look at where the actuating arm of the quick release sits when the canopy pins are in place, it is at a slight angle to the instrument panel (in the default location). The handle on the end of the rod is welded at an angle ot the rod to compensate for this offset, and to let the handle sit parallel to the panel.

If you rotate the handle vertically, it won't sit parallel to the panel unless you reweld it or change something from the default setup. At least, that's how I read it after multiple reads and re-reads of the plans.
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  #15  
Old 01-10-2012, 11:21 PM
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Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caryr View Post
What do you intend to do with the gas struts?
The stock gas struts are "press-fit" onto one of the ends. On mine, when I removed the canopy to re-paint the frame, the struts were easy to remove with a sharp tug. In the event of needing jettisoning, I suspect any aerodynamic load that got under the canopy would easily overpower the connector.
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  #16  
Old 01-10-2012, 11:42 PM
Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan View Post
This is the way the handle is "handled" in my 1999 RV-6:



This method is not original with me and many tip-ups have this arrangement. The handle is out-of-sight and uses standard kit pieces, but is reachable for service (I've had the canopy off the plane once in 13 years...). I don't worry about reaching it in flight because I don't think the canopy would leave the plane....and I don't wear a chute.
I did something very similar to this, and then ended up having to pull the whole thing with all its monkey motion out because the radios had to pass right through that area. Damned annoying, actually.

I'm just going to use bolts in the hinges...
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  #17  
Old 01-11-2012, 12:28 AM
Mounz Mounz is offline
 
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The actuation arm behind the sub panel as depicted on the photograph will not work for me as my radio and transponder need to penetrate the sub panel at this location. The U-channel on the RV-7 is shorter than on the 6.

I hear what some of you are saying about never needing the release mechanism. I can argue that I've never needed the seat belts in my car but nonetheless I am glad to have them and always buckle up before driving. I also find the airbags a wonderful invention and I hope I never have to tell anyone how well they worked on my vehicle.

The bottom line is I want a readily reachable canopy jettison handle. I am confident that it will work as Van's designed it in spite of the gas struts. I know that it has never been tried and tested and I hope to enjoy countless happy hours in my RV-7 without ever needing it. I have also opted for two expensive 5 point safety harnesses with quick release buckles that I hope I will never need. I feel this is all part of a necessary package if you want an escape option in an aerobatic aircraft.

I'm not interested in the sliding canopy so I guess it's going to be the horizontal T-handle.

Thanks for your inputs. If there's somebody out there with a clever solution that he's seen or implemented, I'll be more than grateful to hear from you
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  #18  
Old 01-11-2012, 05:38 AM
noelf noelf is offline
 
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Mounz...my solution is very similar to Sam's, except that instead of the "T" handle below the sub-panel, I have a link attached that allows the pilot to pull. I have been flying for two years and have decided it was a waisted effort to implement. If I ever need to remove the canopy for maintenance reasons, that will be the only time I will use it.
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  #19  
Old 01-11-2012, 07:17 AM
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Sam Buchanan Sam Buchanan is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Scotsman View Post
I did something very similar to this, and then ended up having to pull the whole thing with all its monkey motion out because the radios had to pass right through that area. Damned annoying, actually.

I'm just going to use bolts in the hinges...
That is precisely what I would do if doing it again, for the same reasons....and I have recommended omission of the mechanism to several builders.
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  #20  
Old 01-11-2012, 10:59 PM
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OneCharlieKilo OneCharlieKilo is offline
 
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Default different approach

I did something a little different; harder to remove for maintenance than setup in Sam's picture but easier to remove than bolts in place of pins. I've had the canopy off once since I started flying and that was after about 2 years of flying when I took my RV apart for painting. Canopy was very easy to remove and reinstall with this setup. As you'll see in the pictures, this method obviously does not allow for in flight jettison.

I used pins per the original design but attached them to aluminum angle that can be easily unbolted from below and then used as handles to pull the pins out. Very little structure needed on the sub-panel and didn't interfere with my avionics installation. The connection of the pins to the angle is with bolt and castellated nut with cotter pin so the angle easily rotates at the attachment point to the pin when the bolt is removed from the nutplate on the other end of the angle. This makes the angle easy to use as a handle when manipulating the pins in or out up close to the skin where there isn't much clearance for wrenches, etc after that top skin is riveted in place.








other canopy under construction photos at:

http://rv6aproject.ckhand.com/Fusela...lagePage22.htm
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Last edited by OneCharlieKilo : 01-11-2012 at 11:04 PM. Reason: clarification
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