Remind me what is the cost of the carbon canopy system and what the credit is for parts left stock parts left off, in other words total cost?
I think my main question is that the canopy is exact fit for the fuselage that was used for a mold. My experience is Van's metal tube frame does not fit perfect and you have to tweak it (bend, pull, push) into shape. How do you adjust this to fit your fuselage, since you can't really bend it into shape? [/QOUTE]
The cost is $3400, minus what Van's allows by deducting a bunch of parts. I don't know the exact amount as I deducted the motor mount and some other stuff also, but it is $1200-$1400. That is something we need to really tie down. I will ask Charles to ask some of the recent buyers.
I don't think you could call anything that wasn't molded off of your fuse an EXACT fit, but it is incredibly close! They made the top of a fuselage from Van's parts and molded off from that. I would guess the biggest gap I had (and yes, I installed mine and test fit another to my fuse earlier) was well less than 1/8". A strap under the bottom of the plane pulls it down tight while the epoxy sets up. I also used a couple of 1/8" clecos. The slider fits like a glove, especially after you latch it. It really seals at the back. The sides have a seal which I haven't installed as yet, so I can't comment there. The slider-to-windscreen seal is molded in place and I haven't done that either. That should take less than an hour.
Installing the front is a couple hour job. Installing the slider, maybe three-four hours. Now, you still have to do the filler around the front edge and that takes time, I would think the same as on Van's system. It depends on just how particular you are. It is pretty slick to have everything setting in place 30 minutes after you open the box.
Bob