What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Tip Up Canopy Short Brace

tom paul

Active Member
I am looking for a way to keep the canopy secure while taxiing with it open a little. I keep hand on it, but sometimes I need two hands in the plane, of course. I am working on a design for little hinged braces that will swivel up and grab the latch pin on both sides of the rear of the canopy. I am wondering if this cat has been skinned before. I would imagine it has. The goal is to be able to rest my arm on the side or the fuselage while taxiing, like our slider brothers and sisters, but not tip it so far up that visibility is impeded.
Is there a reason not to do this? Has anyone done it?
Seems like a good thing for Antisplat to do, maybe?
 
On my -6 I raise it high enough that I can turn the overhead latch 90 degrees and rest the handle on the top of the canopy bow. That doesn't let me hang my arm over the side (sorry, if you wanted that you should have bought a slider...) but it does give enough airflow that I stay cool on the ground, and doesn't block visibility significantly. Any higher, and I wouldn't be able to see forward.
 
Flex hose

I use a piece of flex fuel hose split down the middle and slide it over the inner shaft of the hold open actuators. Cut to length for the amount of open you want. I keep it between the seats so it is accessible.
 
Bigger struts

I swapped out the 100N for 150N struts and taxi with the canopy open all the way.

I also have a "taxi camera" so I can see what's happening out the right hand side of the aircraft.
 
What I did

I made some of these and folks seem to like them. As previously mentioned you can’t hang your arm out but the canopy allows ventilation but can’t blow open from tailwind or bad helicopter or jet blast. Now to attach photo. Well that didn’t work. I did it before but not now. Shoot me an email as I think I can send photo directly. Klmoexpo at gmail.com
 
Maybe the photos

http://https://vansairforce.net/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=12265&stc=1&d=1622865004


[url]https://vansairforce.net/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=12264&stc=1&d=1622865004[/url]
 

Attachments

  • 60D30190-8E7A-4FED-B64E-3C784267BB22.jpeg
    60D30190-8E7A-4FED-B64E-3C784267BB22.jpeg
    169.1 KB · Views: 325
  • FE462A1C-8299-4826-B7F4-B5BF5F61782A.jpeg
    FE462A1C-8299-4826-B7F4-B5BF5F61782A.jpeg
    166.8 KB · Views: 244
Canopy latch

Tom paul,
I had several of these made thinking I could sell them but not many folks were interested. I still have a few if you are interested please call me. 303-772-2202
Thanks Dave
 
Back
Top