The Polar Vortex got me, cracked canopy !
After 2 1/2 years building and then only 1 month flying I went out to the hangar and found large cracks in my slider canopy.
This occured after several -25 C evenings.
The first crack originates from a rivit just behind the canopy handle and goes in both directions about 6 inches, the second is four rivits back in both directions about 4 inches each way.
Have stop drilled and will reinforce so I can keep flying for now.
From what I have read in the Forums it seems that most slider cracks mostly originate from the top center bow.
So my thoughts re: replacement is to rivit the foreward and aft bows and use the existing screws in the skirt, however, use glue (sika) for the centre bow. This should allow a good fit with the existing windscreen fairing etc.
Use the clecos in the exisiting rivit holes in the top center bow to hold the plexi in place untill the glue sets. Some have suggested still installing the top rivits, they will also hold the trim strip in place, the glue will stop the plexi expanding with temperature changes and putting pressure on the rivits
After 2 1/2 years building and then only 1 month flying I went out to the hangar and found large cracks in my slider canopy.
This occured after several -25 C evenings.
The first crack originates from a rivit just behind the canopy handle and goes in both directions about 6 inches, the second is four rivits back in both directions about 4 inches each way.
Have stop drilled and will reinforce so I can keep flying for now.
From what I have read in the Forums it seems that most slider cracks mostly originate from the top center bow.
So my thoughts re: replacement is to rivit the foreward and aft bows and use the existing screws in the skirt, however, use glue (sika) for the centre bow. This should allow a good fit with the existing windscreen fairing etc.
Use the clecos in the exisiting rivit holes in the top center bow to hold the plexi in place untill the glue sets. Some have suggested still installing the top rivits, they will also hold the trim strip in place, the glue will stop the plexi expanding with temperature changes and putting pressure on the rivits
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