Hi all;
After a great flight the other day I sadly spotted various cracks around the canopy *frame* on our RV9 tip up
We’d previously noticed the gaps increasing between the frame and fuse but only just spotted these cracks - they must’ve been there for a while it seems
There are two cracks, both in existing factory welds. One at the hinge where it has a flange welded onto it to rivet to the frame. This seems to have been a common issue on RV6 tip ups, but ours is an RV9 with the stiffeners fitted. The other crack is in the weld towards the rearward part of the frame assembly
I’d like to ask please -
1) Ideas for repair solutions please? This forum and Vans themselves said weld - but the two approved aviation welders we’ve approached both independently said the material can’t be welded. I saw a bolted solution for the hinge repair on the RV6 thread but what about the rearward issue?
2) I really feel like this must be a common issue but am surprised how little information there is out there about it. Surely we can’t be the first RV7/9 tip up with stiffener with this issue?
3) Has there ever been an RV6/7/9 tip up canopy failure in flight, either at all, or specifically did this issue? I haven’t been able to find any evidence
4) Vans said to remove the Perspex to weld. Has anyone ever removed the Perspex from their canopy then reused it? (What do you do at the Sikaflex fillet etc?)
Any and all advice and info gratefully received please…
Thanks to all
After a great flight the other day I sadly spotted various cracks around the canopy *frame* on our RV9 tip up
We’d previously noticed the gaps increasing between the frame and fuse but only just spotted these cracks - they must’ve been there for a while it seems
There are two cracks, both in existing factory welds. One at the hinge where it has a flange welded onto it to rivet to the frame. This seems to have been a common issue on RV6 tip ups, but ours is an RV9 with the stiffeners fitted. The other crack is in the weld towards the rearward part of the frame assembly
I’d like to ask please -
1) Ideas for repair solutions please? This forum and Vans themselves said weld - but the two approved aviation welders we’ve approached both independently said the material can’t be welded. I saw a bolted solution for the hinge repair on the RV6 thread but what about the rearward issue?
2) I really feel like this must be a common issue but am surprised how little information there is out there about it. Surely we can’t be the first RV7/9 tip up with stiffener with this issue?
3) Has there ever been an RV6/7/9 tip up canopy failure in flight, either at all, or specifically did this issue? I haven’t been able to find any evidence
4) Vans said to remove the Perspex to weld. Has anyone ever removed the Perspex from their canopy then reused it? (What do you do at the Sikaflex fillet etc?)
Any and all advice and info gratefully received please…
Thanks to all
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