<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>
The reasons I choose the hinged canopy design for my L360.
1. When I did my test ride with Orin from Lancair, he had this type of
canopy and it seemed like it gave more room entering and exiting the plane.
2. You can leave the canopy cracked open when taxiing around to get a nice
cool breeze
3. It gives about 1" more shoulder room inside the cockpit. You can cut out
about 1/2" of the reinforcement out of the sides of the canopy
reinforcement and make it flush with the longeron. You have to keep that
reinforcement in with the old design.
4. I am not sure of this, but I think the hinged canopy design would be
easier to bail out of if I ever accidentally pulled too many G's or if I
didn't glue something together properly. I plan to do aerobatics.
5. A crazy idea I have that I haven't really thought through yet, I am not
at this point in building now, I thought it might really be fun to make a
convertible. Make the canopy swappable, make it so you can take off the
canopy and put a little motorcycle windshield on it. Or maybe buy another
canopy and cut it in half. I think the forward hinged design would be the
better platform to start this with.


Hope this helps
Regards,
Ed
Watsonville CA.