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I guess I’m grounded

G

glenadavis

Active Member
Patron
I got in my new to me 12 today and I can not get the canopy to latch. It appears to me there are several problems.
1. The handle I pull and rotate is hitting the blade shape piece it’s suppose to lock behind. See photos. I can’t tell if that blade shape piece is suppose to be inside or outside of the handle. It’s smack it pretty much head on.

2 that blade shaped piece I I referred to above has some hard plastic material that I’m sure the handle is supposed to slide on. That hard plastic material is missing on half of the blade piece.

3. I don’t believe the canopy is coming down far enough because I can see a fairly large gap between the canopy and the fuselage, maybe a quarter of an inch. Perhaps this is the reason I was getting such a blast of cold air on my first flight a couple of days ago. I don’t see anything that’s blocking the canopy from closing more but something isn’t right. I just can’t figure out what it is that’s keeping the canopy from closing and the latch from latching. Any help would be appreciated because I obviously can’t fly until I can get the canopy to lock in place.

When I did my transition training at a Flight school that had RV 12s in their fleet. The latch on the canopy had a switch that would turn on a light on the panel if the canopy was not locked completely. My RV does not have any wires to the latch so there’s no electrical connection to the switch for a warning light. Is that strictly a factory feature and not on the experimental models?
 

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I'm not familiar with the RV-12 canopy (hopefully someone who is, can offer better advice) but I'm wondering if the front of the canopy is somehow misaligned. Is it removable? Was it removed and reinstalled "wonky"? Is something bent? Perhaps this is something the last owner or builder can offer in regard to the specifics of this particular aircraft...?

Good luck! I'm confident it will be a simple correction.
 
The canopy latch warning was an upgrade on earlier models. You will find it on the service bulletin list at the Vans website. As for the canopy not closing properly, there's not much there to go wrong. Carefully check the 2 positioning tabs on the bottom rail are engaging with their respective slots on the canopy deck.
The metal hook by the latch handle is only there as a safety device to stop the canopy opening if you taxi with it unlatched. It's not part of the locking mechanism. The latch engages with that nylon slide to lock it down. Try rotating the handle 180 degrees.
Cheers DaveH
 
Last edited:
Can you ask the previous owner? If it's wonky, surely he knows a trick to get it un-wonky.
 
The canopy latch looks like a "wonky" repair was made. There should only be 2 rivets thru the C-1214 latch block (see KAI page below).
It looks like it may have been broken and a 3rd rivet installed and possibly blocking rotation of the latch handle?

1731539804709.png
 
A part of your latch appears to be broken. The white plastic part (#C-1214) of the latch appears broken in half and therefore does not serve its intended function of capturing the latch arm (#WD-1218). This is a relatively common problem and a relatively easy fix. Check your plans and order a replacement for #C-1214.

However, something else may still be preventing your canopy from fully closing and this requires your further investigation. Also be aware that your latch appears to be the original style and an improved latching set-up (https://www.vansaircraft.com/service-information-and-revisions/n-2017-12-08/) is available from Van's. The electrical "Canopy Open" circuit can be added as part of this improved latching set-up.

My 2 cents worth...
 
This has to be frustrating -- but yes, the canopy certainly should go down further. Your first photo shows the right-side alignment tab fitting into its slot; does the left one also fit? Is there anything along the forward edge of the canopy, on either side, that is preventing it from lowering all the way when the handle is turned to the side? When it does close all the way, the handle should rotate below the bottom of the "blade shaped piece", as shown in the KAI figs that GatorsR1 sent ((y)). I'd send photos of mine but it has a different kind of latch, so that wouldn't help.
 
You don't say what the year of your 12 is. The canopy warning wiring and switch installation began about 2014. If the wire is there it is possibly tied off somewhere near the ELT on the starboard side just behind the cockpit brace. Skyview upgrades done early using conversion harnesses will not have the wire and it will have to be installed from behind the panel, and through the tunnels. Notification 14-05-22 gives all the details to install the canopy warning. It was a Notification, not a Service Bulletin. You can download the Notification from Van's website.
The canopy latch problem can be corrected but it looks like you will need to order some replacement parts from Van's as David Heal points out. It looks like parts of the latch are bent and broken. We are assuming you picked up the plans for your 12. The latch arrangement and the canopy warning switch are shown on plans section 34.

IMG_0425.jpeg
 
Thank you, Tony, and others. I am waiting for the plans to arrive via mail as there was too much to take in the plane. I’ll order the new latch tomorrow.
 
I'm sorry you are grounded. Remember, it is always better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air. Than the other way around.

You will get the plans, figure out what failed, or is not right, buy the parts, and either fix it yourself, or find someone to help you.

Either way you will know more about your aircraft and I would bet that this will be an item you take a look at on your preflight, even if it isn't on your checklist.
 
glenadavis said:
Thank you, Tony, and others. I am waiting for the plans to arrive via mail as there was too much to take in the plane. I’ll order the new latch tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Be sure to establish a Customer LogIn account at Van's website and register your name/aircraft info for easy access to all factory info related to your aircraft as well as free access to the applicable plans set.
 
DHeal said:
Be sure to establish a Customer LogIn account at Van's website and register your name/aircraft info for easy access to all factory info related to your aircraft as well as free access to the applicable plans set.
Click to expand...
I did that yesterday. Thank you.
 
Looks to me like the handle is just hitting that end rivet on the hook piece. knock it out and I bet it works fine.
 
glenadavis said:
3. I don’t believe the canopy is coming down far enough because I can see a fairly large gap between the canopy and the fuselage, maybe a quarter of an inch. Perhaps this is the reason I was getting such a blast of cold air on my first flight a couple of days ago. I don’t see anything that’s blocking the canopy from closing more but something isn’t right. I just can’t figure out what it is that’s keeping the canopy from closing and the latch from latching. Any help would be appreciated because I obviously can’t fly until I can get the canopy to lock in place.
Click to expand...
There’s been a lot of focus on the latch here, but your question about the canopy closing fully is a good one. The latch serves to keep the canopy closed, but it should not be the mechanism to help pull the canopy into that closed position. You need to identify why the canopy isn’t closing fully on its own (without the use of the latch).
 
To chime in & clarify just a bit more ... the drawing view I supplied was an old one and prior to the addition of the Canopy Open warning switch (a very valuable enhancement). The newer drawing revision (rev 4) that Tony provided does have 3 rivets thru the plastic latch block (C-1214) into the latch plate (F-1231F-1). The 3rd rivet is countersunk (CS4-4) to provide clearance for the handle as it's rotated closed & latched (over the plastic). That's the rivet that is dangling because the plastic piece is broken.
Further observation - notice on the Rev 4 drawing (Fig 1, 2 and Detail B) that the handle properly goes BEHIND the latch block as it rotates closed & latches. Probably because of the photo angle and the fact that the canopy isn't fully closed, the handle doesn't look like it would easily close over the latch.
In your pictures, the scrubbed off paint on the inside of the latch handle indicates there may have been some interference going on also.
Just some thoughts on why it's broken and all the scrubbed paint.

Moving forward positively ... welcome to the world of experimental aircraft!
It's very rewarding to study, diagnose, and implement maintenance, repairs & upgrades to our planes.
I imagine you ordered the USB set of plans from Vans?
It's a treasure of information.
P.S. before ordering parts you might want to investigate the latest latch design (ref N 17-12-08 Canopy Latch Upgrade), it is much improved - particularly for latching the canopy partially open for ventilation when taxiing or parked.
 
I was going to suggest looking at the weatherization kit change, however Van's has apparently deleted all RV-12 kit changes before 2014 and all the changes from 2014-2018 are simply described as "changes made". Looking at the one photo of the canopy side it appears there is a double layer of gasket on the flat part and a single layer on the angled portion. If the weather stripping is homemade vs the Van's kit parts, that might explain some of the air leakage. The double gasket may require some down force on the handle to compress the gasket and get the handle low enough to engage the nylon ramp and lock. The canopy guide blocks on either side of the rollbar are another area to look at if the canopy is not seating correctly.

John Salak
RV-12 N896HS
 
It seems to me that even if the latch weren't broken, the canopy should come down farther. Check for obstructions along the underside of front fairing where the plexi (forward portion of the canopy ) is. As you sit inside and pull it up and down, are you hearing anything up front? What about the seals? Are they in good shape? Any side of wear?
 
DHeal said:
A part of your latch appears to be broken. The white plastic part (#C-1214) of the latch appears broken in half and therefore does not serve its intended function of capturing the latch arm (#WD-1218). This is a relatively common problem and a relatively easy fix. Check your plans and order a replacement for #C-1214.

However, something else may still be preventing your canopy from fully closing and this requires your further investigation. Also be aware that your latch appears to be the original style and an improved latching set-up (https://www.vansaircraft.com/service-information-and-revisions/n-2017-12-08/) is available from Van's. The electrical "Canopy Open" circuit can be added as part of this improved latching set-up.

My 2 cents worth...
Click to expand...
Note the use of a CS4-4 countersunk pull-rivet on Part C-1214 as depicted on Drawing 34-1 (Rev. 4) - Detail A. This is a change from earlier plans that had no third rivet in this area.
 
LettersFromFlyoverCountry said:
It seems to me that even if the latch weren't broken, the canopy should come down farther. Check for obstructions along the underside of front fairing where the plexi (forward portion of the canopy ) is. As you sit inside and pull it up and down, are you hearing anything up front? What about the seals? Are they in good shape? Any side of wear?
Click to expand...

glenadavis said:
I got in my new to me 12 today and I can not get the canopy to latch. It appears to me there are several problems.
1. The handle I pull and rotate is hitting the blade shape piece it’s suppose to lock behind. See photos. I can’t tell if that blade shape piece is suppose to be inside or outside of the handle. It’s smack it pretty much head on.

2 that blade shaped piece I I referred to above has some hard plastic material that I’m sure the handle is supposed to slide on. That hard plastic material is missing on half of the blade piece.

3. I don’t believe the canopy is coming down far enough because I can see a fairly large gap between the canopy and the fuselage, maybe a quarter of an inch. Perhaps this is the reason I was getting such a blast of cold air on my first flight a couple of days ago. I don’t see anything that’s blocking the canopy from closing more but something isn’t right. I just can’t figure out what it is that’s keeping the canopy from closing and the latch from latching. Any help would be appreciated because I obviously can’t fly until I can get the canopy to lock in place.

When I did my transition training at a Flight school that had RV 12s in their fleet. The latch on the canopy had a switch that would turn on a light on the panel if the canopy was not locked completely. My RV does not have any wires to the latch so there’s no electrical connection to the switch for a warning light. Is that strictly a factory feature and not on the experimental models?
Click to expand...
I fixed it!!!! The problem was not the latch mechanism at all. When I brought the canopy down, on the pilot side, it’s supposed to overlap the fuselage just slightly. Unfortunately, there was a slight dent in my canopy at the point where it’s supposed to overlap the fuselage, so it was just sitting on top of the fuselage as opposed to overlapping it on the outside. Not sure I’m explaining it correctly but with my fingers, I just reshaped the overlapping edge slightly and now it works perfectly. Thanks everybody for your help and I do feel pleased that I was able to find the problem myself.
 
glenadavis said:
I fixed it!!!! The problem was not the latch mechanism at all. When I brought the canopy down, on the pilot side, it’s supposed to overlap the fuselage just slightly. Unfortunately, there was a slight dent in my canopy at the point where it’s supposed to overlap the fuselage, so it was just sitting on top of the fuselage as opposed to overlapping it on the outside. Not sure I’m explaining it correctly but with my fingers, I just reshaped the overlapping edge slightly and now it works perfectly. Thanks everybody for your help and I do feel pleased that I was able to find the problem myself.
Click to expand...
Good job! It's so nice when solutions are simple and inexpensive. Is your latch working as it should?
 
brianb08 said:
There’s been a lot of focus on the latch here, but your question about the canopy closing fully is a good one. The latch serves to keep the canopy closed, but it should not be the mechanism to help pull the canopy into that closed position. You need to identify why the canopy isn’t closing fully on its own (without the use of the latch).
Click to expand...
You hit the nail on the head.
 
glenadavis said:
I fixed it!!!! The problem was not the latch mechanism at all. When I brought the canopy down, on the pilot side, it’s supposed to overlap the fuselage just slightly. Unfortunately, there was a slight dent in my canopy at the point where it’s supposed to overlap the fuselage, so it was just sitting on top of the fuselage as opposed to overlapping it on the outside. Not sure I’m explaining it correctly but with my fingers, I just reshaped the overlapping edge slightly and now it works perfectly. Thanks everybody for your help and I do feel pleased that I was able to find the problem myself.
Click to expand...
I had a somewhat similar problem. Some micro had ooozed down into the inside of the side skirts and was "pinching" the side skin
 
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