John,
A minor point. The 320/360 forward hinged canopy option came with the
hinge arms drilled with holes a few inches down from its fuselage
attachment point. There were no directions concerning the purpose of these
holes. However, it soon became obvious that a proper length tube
with squarely cut ends could be through bolted to these to hold the arms
parallel and at right angles to the pivots. Basically, this jigged the
arms so that both the fuselage and canopy attach points could be
constructed in the correct location and with the correct orientation. Once
the construction was complete there was no further need for the cross
tube.
I did install stabilization ridges on the fuselage aft of the
pivot points so that when the canopy was raised, the arms slipped into the
formed ridges to resist any twisting from cross winds when the canopy was fully
opened.
Be advised that you have completed construction of the
formidable Lancair spinnaker - remember to set the parking brake whilst
stopped at the self-serve pump and a tail wind exists or just close the
canopy. Another use for the multipurpose open canopy is to warm your
tea when placed in the cup holder located in the glare shield whilst
parked with the midday sun oriented to the aft of the craft. Yes, the
canopy interior concave reflecting surface nicely focuses sun energy to converge
somewhere on the glare-shield/hot-plate. The remaining burn
marks provide a useful history log since they can be coordinated with
date, GPS coordinates, compass reading and sun elevation as a reminder to close
the canopy - rain or shine.
Bon Voyage,
Grayhawk
PS 14 years and only three smoking craters in the glare shield and one
chase down at the pump ............. Perhaps I should limit my
self-congratulations since summer is soon to arrive with that pesky sun and
irritating wind.
In a message dated 4/28/2010 6:53:17 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
JPKleber@aol.com writes:
Greetings,
I have been contemplating whether or not to remove the canopy
hinge cross tube. It does get in the way of all the wiring and
electronic gear on the avionics shelf.
Any opinions on the merits of the Canopy Hinge Cross-Tube?
Is it necessary for canopy stability (in winds)? Have
you taken yours out? or left it in?
Thank you,
John