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  #11  
Old 12-19-2012, 08:36 PM
DaAV8R DaAV8R is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lee's Summit, MO
Posts: 747
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Quote:
Originally Posted by russd View Post
When I took my canopy out of the box, I cut off a chunk and sent it to Bill McLean for testing. He sent me the plot and following information for comparison.

Previously Tested RV-7 Canopy
  • 80% visible light allowed through
  • 1% UVb allowed through (bad)
  • 12% UVa allowed through (not as bad)
SC-15 Special-Order Canopy
  • 76% visible light allowed through
  • 1% UVb allowed through (bad)
  • 1% UVa allowed through (not as bad)

The standard canopy is pretty darn good but if you have health concerns, it might be worth considering for the extra couple hundred bucks it costs.

Thanks to Bill McLean for the peace-of-mind and to Van's and Airplane Plastics for the extra effort to make it happen!
Resurrecting an old thread.

I need to get my finish kit ordered and would like a little more input on canopy tint. The three choices as I understand them are:

Standard Canopy - Light smoke 2515
Darker Option - Medium smoke 2514
UV resistant - SC15

I was leaning towards the SC15 which is basically the same tint as the standard canopy with added UV protection until I stumbled across this thread. According to the data posted by Russ, there does not seem to be a significant difference in UV protection.

Please provide your thoughts/experience flying with these canopies, particularly the medium smoke 2514 and SC15 including night flying experience.

Thanks.
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1946 Cessna 120
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  #12  
Old 12-26-2012, 09:41 AM
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russd russd is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Wellington, CO
Posts: 33
Default Flying behind the SC15

I guess the good news is also the bad news: can't tell any difference. Night is a non-issue. As far as I know, the only real difference between the SC15 and the standard canopy is what you can't see.

Granted, I haven't spent much time flying in someone else's RV for the last couple of years to really compare!
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  #13  
Old 02-21-2017, 01:39 AM
Naigool Naigool is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Ollon Switzerland
Posts: 78
Default Fresh news?

I'm close to order my finishing kit and would like to know if some more builder have tested the UW resistant canopy!
The cost is 305$ and I'm wondering if it is a valuable option for flying in Switzerland??
We don't have very hot climate for several months of the year but I fly quiet high in th Swiss alps very often and the sunshine is usually present! Often flying between 12'000 to 15'000 Ft!

Any feedback is welcome!

Nicolas
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  #14  
Old 02-21-2017, 05:10 AM
Robert Anglin Robert Anglin is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: houston, texas
Posts: 900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Naigool View Post
I'm close to order my finishing kit and would like to know if some more builder have tested the UW resistant canopy!
The cost is 305$ and I'm wondering if it is a valuable option for flying in Switzerland??
We don't have very hot climate for several months of the year but I fly quiet high in th Swiss alps very often and the sunshine is usually present! Often flying between 12'000 to 15'000 Ft!

Any feedback is welcome!

Nicolas
I don't have much on the "UV" subject, but we did look at this subject when we ordered our canopy for an 8. We were living in south TEXAS and that is a hard SUN region of the US. There is a Mil. spec. for aircraft shading and it has been a long time now that we ordered this so I don't remember the spec's anymore. What it amounts to is, there is a level of light let through the canopy that is good for day and just dark enough for night flight to be safe, but not to dark for the average person to see through the glass at night. We found that Van's stock or standard canopy was one shade lighter that that Mil. spec. shade, so we did just as the others above have done and ordered down to the Mil. spec. We like what we got and it looks and feels a little cooled in side and out. Just like a little F-16, if you look at a stock canopy on one of those, it will have the shading of that Mil. spec. we wanted.
We did this for safety at night and sun in the days. The "UV" filter component to the plastic was not available at that time. I still try to wear clothing to protect my skin when flying as well. Having a Red Headed wife with fair skin with a history of melanoma it is a must. We get her some of those "UV" filter hats and clothing. You can buy that stuff at most sporting goods stores these days.
Hope this helps. Yours, R.E.A. III #80888
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  #15  
Old 02-21-2017, 08:08 AM
wirejock's Avatar
wirejock wirejock is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
Default Samples

Quote:
Originally Posted by Naigool View Post
I'm close to order my finishing kit and would like to know if some more builder have tested the UW resistant canopy!
The cost is 305$ and I'm wondering if it is a valuable option for flying in Switzerland??
We don't have very hot climate for several months of the year but I fly quiet high in th Swiss alps very often and the sunshine is usually present! Often flying between 12'000 to 15'000 Ft!

Any feedback is welcome!

Nicolas
I git one but it's nothe installed. It's got a little tint but I don't think know it's too dark for night flying. Call Becky. She will send samples.
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http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
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Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
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I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
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  #16  
Old 02-21-2017, 11:30 AM
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bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
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I've been flying my UVA/B canopy now for almost 3 years. I love it! No worries at all about getting sunburned. Normally at altitude I would fry to a crisp in minutes. There is really no difference in the tint, so night flying isn't a concern either.
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RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
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  #17  
Old 02-22-2017, 11:58 PM
Av8rRob's Avatar
Av8rRob Av8rRob is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Rescue, CA. KROB
Posts: 352
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Is this tinted canopy an option from Vans ? Or another vendor?
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  #18  
Old 02-23-2017, 11:20 AM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
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It's not really "tinted", it is blown from plexiglass/acrylic that has UV blocking capability. And, yes, just request it from Van's in your order. They will get it from the vendor and ship it to you in your finish kit. If they don't have one in inventory, it may delay shipment of your finish kit.
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RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
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