Canopy spacing thickness? Seal type?

[rnbraud]

Hello all,

 

I don't recall seeing anything in the plans concerning a seal under the canopy lip. I could be

mistaken since I read through all of the plans a few years ago.

 

I am getting ready to build my canopy FHC frame and am wondering what is the best spacing between the

rail and the longeron to build in to it.

 

Based on the plans description (both standard Cozy and Uli Walter's plans) and the number of layers of duct

tape to put on the longerons, it seems there is only about 1/16" spacing there.

 

That doesn't seem like much room for adding any kind of seal.

 

I would think 1/4" would be better, but I would appreciate confirmation of this hunch.

 

Also, what is the current trend/state-of-the-art/consensus on seal type/material/shape?

 

Also, any suggestions for modifying the inside foam shape/layups for the canopy frame?

 

Thanks.

[brendanw]

Good question, and good for you for planning ahead on this. The obvious answer is that you need to figure out what type of seal you'll be using before you size the gap.

 

I fit the canopy seal just before I did the final contouring of the canopy interface. I purchased a length of rubber, D-seal material from McMaster Carr. I glued it down using the same contact cement that you use to put Formica counter tops down.

 

Once the seal was in place I taped over it, shut the canopy, laid on the micro and sanded forever.

 

Note: I havent flown my plane yet, so this approach might just suck!!

 

As another data point Zeitlin did a canopy seal retrofit not too long ago. Check out:

 

http://www.cozybuilders.org/flying_reports/2007_11_16_Canopy_Seal.html

 

I'm not sure of the end product, but you could email him for some qualitative advice I'm sure.

[steve]

Hello all,

 

I don't recall seeing anything in the plans concerning a seal under the canopy lip. I could be

mistaken since I read through all of the plans a few years ago.

 

I am getting ready to build my canopy FHC frame and am wondering what is the best spacing between the

rail and the longeron to build in to it.

 

Based on the plans description (both standard Cozy and Uli Walter's plans) and the number of layers of duct

tape to put on the longerons, it seems there is only about 1/16" spacing there.

 

That doesn't seem like much room for adding any kind of seal.

 

I would think 1/4" would be better, but I would appreciate confirmation of this hunch.

 

Also, what is the current trend/state-of-the-art/consensus on seal type/material/shape?

 

Also, any suggestions for modifying the inside foam shape/layups for the canopy frame?

 

Thanks.

after i built the fhc and cut it down to just in-front and glued the cut off back on the t/b then did the gule wing a lot of lips needed to be changed, so i got very good at lippidge lol.

the presser from the shocks pushing up on the canopy raised the front haft up almost 3/8 and i set the rear up the same. then i duck taped the canopy with 1/4 wood in place and microed/glassed over the longs.

when it was all done i had a gr8 1/4" gap all the way around.

the hole thing took over a year but i like it and it was worth the wait

so, post cure your top befor you start gapige....