OK, y'all can laugh at me if you want.....I've been flying the Val for a bit more than two years, and in all that time, I haven't been very satisfied with the operation of the canopy latch - the spring-loaded "hook" that attaches to the handle has never moved very freely. I have constantly had to manually move it to the "open" position before sliding the canopy closed for latching. I often sit in the airplane and think "OK, I need to get a stronger spring"....but by the time I get done flying, that thought has passed, and I never do.
Well, it's not a stronger spring that it needs! The other day I removed the canopy to give the inside a really thorough cleaning (believe me, it is easier than trying to do it on the airframe!), and while the latch was removed, for some reason, I thought "gee, I wondered what would happen if I loosened up the castle nut (on the bolt that holds the hook to the handle) by one flat?" Voil?! Free motion, and an embarrassed look on my face....
I share in case anyone else has been having this problem - the nut doesn't have to be very tight to stop it from moving freely.....it will only cost you a cotter pin to re-do it if it is a bit tight...
Well, it's not a stronger spring that it needs! The other day I removed the canopy to give the inside a really thorough cleaning (believe me, it is easier than trying to do it on the airframe!), and while the latch was removed, for some reason, I thought "gee, I wondered what would happen if I loosened up the castle nut (on the bolt that holds the hook to the handle) by one flat?" Voil?! Free motion, and an embarrassed look on my face....
I share in case anyone else has been having this problem - the nut doesn't have to be very tight to stop it from moving freely.....it will only cost you a cotter pin to re-do it if it is a bit tight...
