Dan 57
Well Known Member
We all know about the propensity of RV-8 canopies to develop a crack... those sometimes happen for obscure reasons, sometimes due to edge tension thanks to a rivet or a screw in a hole of too small a diameter, and/or due to the expansion/retraction of that large piece of acrylic plastic.
My story of canopy breakage is a bit different, so here goes...
Took my friend's -8 for a nice flight thru the Alps 2 days ago, ending with a delicious pizza South of the Alps.
Upon returning to my base, climbed on the left wing, canopy closed and locked, with the intent of cleaning the windshield. Applied cleaner with the spray bottle in my right hand, which I then rested on the junction of the roll bar and the canopy bow. Or so I thought. Leaning forward to wipe the windshield off with my left hand, I also put some pressure with my right hand on the canopy, just behind the canopy frame, almost on top of the arc. This pressure was light, or so I thought, probably well below 1kg (2 lbs).
crack!
Crack? Guess I'll never forget this sound... so light in pitch I thought I had stepped onto something like a cookie. Looking at my feet nothing, but looking at where my right hand rested moments ago, a u-shaped crack.
Many strong holies whatever followed, unfortunately to no avail.
The crack is about 15cm (6") long, and about 7cm (3") wide, on the 1 o'clock position.
We decided to have the canopy fixed, and it has been brought to a company manufacturing/modifying and repairing canopies.
Reasons
I'm sure a zillion experts will jump in, but here are my humble observations.
- material thickness. The top part of the canopy is much thinner than the walls. Yes, it is logical and due to the forming process, but still a good thing to remember
- it seems that the forward edge of the canopy was not properly bonded to the frame. It therefore probably flexed before the acrylic itself let go
Warning
Treat your canopy with the utmost care. I never expected the canopy to be as fragile. And I pride myself on being careful... well, no more.
Clean the windshield with the canopy slid back. Also clean the canopy only when slid back (easier anyway), feet on the ground.
Do the cleaning of this expensive plastic part yourself. What happened to me, a short 171cm (5.6') and light 71kg (156lbs) individual, could easily happen to any well meaning helper...
My story of canopy breakage is a bit different, so here goes...
Took my friend's -8 for a nice flight thru the Alps 2 days ago, ending with a delicious pizza South of the Alps.
Upon returning to my base, climbed on the left wing, canopy closed and locked, with the intent of cleaning the windshield. Applied cleaner with the spray bottle in my right hand, which I then rested on the junction of the roll bar and the canopy bow. Or so I thought. Leaning forward to wipe the windshield off with my left hand, I also put some pressure with my right hand on the canopy, just behind the canopy frame, almost on top of the arc. This pressure was light, or so I thought, probably well below 1kg (2 lbs).
crack!
Crack? Guess I'll never forget this sound... so light in pitch I thought I had stepped onto something like a cookie. Looking at my feet nothing, but looking at where my right hand rested moments ago, a u-shaped crack.
Many strong holies whatever followed, unfortunately to no avail.
The crack is about 15cm (6") long, and about 7cm (3") wide, on the 1 o'clock position.
We decided to have the canopy fixed, and it has been brought to a company manufacturing/modifying and repairing canopies.
Reasons
I'm sure a zillion experts will jump in, but here are my humble observations.
- material thickness. The top part of the canopy is much thinner than the walls. Yes, it is logical and due to the forming process, but still a good thing to remember
- it seems that the forward edge of the canopy was not properly bonded to the frame. It therefore probably flexed before the acrylic itself let go
Warning
Treat your canopy with the utmost care. I never expected the canopy to be as fragile. And I pride myself on being careful... well, no more.
Clean the windshield with the canopy slid back. Also clean the canopy only when slid back (easier anyway), feet on the ground.
Do the cleaning of this expensive plastic part yourself. What happened to me, a short 171cm (5.6') and light 71kg (156lbs) individual, could easily happen to any well meaning helper...