Chapter 24 Canopy/Strake fairing

Chapter 18 latch rod spacer, safety catch and IP panel cover

The latch rod 3/8" spacer is not per plans.  

The "dog leg" canopy latch handle is not per plans.  I did this to provide more clearance from the stick.

A square 3/8" spacer moves the latch rod outboard to alleviate interference with the safety catch.  The Chapter 18 FAQ advises to bend the rod to provide clearance.

The regular nuts will be replaced with locking nuts.

I made a template, cut the foam and took it outside to shape it.

I made some stainless steel pins to help hold the glass down on the front.  Some manilla file folder paper was cut to provide a flat surface for the matting lip.   Box tape was used for release.  

(After cure) Some round weatherstripping cut in half provided the radius for the aft side of the form.  The yellow board was from signs like realtors use.   Cuts easily but stiff enough to provide support.

After trimming.

Vance's periodic visit/Canopy inspection

Vance stopped by to check on my work.   He approved of my new press and canopy hardware I'd recently made.  He commented that he put lightening holes in his handles, so I did the same later that afternoon.

I showed him TB1 had been an inch to far aft, cut it out and reglassed it to the plans location.
Also showed him how the previous builder had made the indention for the cut between the IP cover and canopy a little to far aft above the longeron, so I had to move the canopy catch further aft than plans.   I'm still looking at ways to externally latch and lock the canopy that aren't to complex.   Might put a handle inside the nose and have a locking nose door for access to the handle.

Neither of us are going to OSH this year.  Vance left a sight gauge to be delivered to OSH by my friend Don.   We went to lunch at one of our local favorites and had the chicken fried steak special.

Vance mentioned his 30 year old EI system had to be repaired by the new owner. One coil failed and the other was intermittent.  Probably had 2400 hours or more on it.

After Vance left, I realized I hadn't asked him all of the questions I had so will try to remember to put them in one of the journals I make notes in.