Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:27:25 -0600 (CST)
From: Matt
To: Van's
Subject: RV-7 sliding canopy frameHi guys,
I've got the canopy frame on my RV-7 slider all fitted – I think – and I have a couple questions before I proceed:
1. I had an issue where the aftmost corner on the right side was rubbing/catching on the top skin when the canopy was slid back. I bent the right rear bow outward and it now clears the skin by a minimum of 1/16" on the right side, 1/8" on the left side. I am assuming that the spreading force of the canopy bubble will tend to increase this clearance, not diminish it, so I don't need to worry further. Is this a good assumption?
2. I got things arranged so that with the canopy tracks and slide rail screwed in place, the canopy will glide smoothly open with very light finger pressure. Then I slightly narrowed the front bow so that the rollers rub with moderate friction against the inboard faces of the tracks. My hope here is that if the plexiglass spreads it back out again, the rollers will wind up in the middle of the tracks and give smooth canopy operation. Is this worth doing or should I put it back to neutral and let things fall where they may?
thanks,
mcb
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:50:14 -0800
From: Van's
To: Matt
Subject: Re: RV-7 sliding canopy frameThere will be some springback when the bubble is attached to the frame, but it is impossible to say how much on a given airplane.
Hmm. I was hoping for a more definitive answer. Luckily a friendly fellow on the VAF site offered this helpful response which seems to confirm my theory about the rollers.