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Building Integrity
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Date: 10-14-2015
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Number of Hours: 1.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: New Canopy seal and avionics cover install
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OK, I'm gonna give the long explanation here. In the last 66 hrs. of flying this beast I've seen what every ez sees only mine more so. The LARGE canopy I have makes the canipy change shape dramatically due to thermal expansion and contraction. We know that. However, in flight, no matter what the OAT is, the canopy is always nice and tightly sealed up along the perimeter except for the forward 18". In fact in the cold it raises the forward lip of the canopy enough to allow really cold air inside the cabin and also create nasty drag. HOWEVER, on the ground on a warm day, the fit is nice and flush up front. SOOOOO, The only way to solve this issue without using a metal canopy frame is to decide what's MOST important. LOW drag in the air or good looks on the ground. Well, I would much rather have low drag,
The low drag solution here is to sand the canopy frame flush with the fuselage when the canopy is cold. However, this means the forward lip of the canopy is substantially rasied. NO problem that weather seal can't fix. Of course I could add filler but this would create issues when trying to close the canopy on a hot day. SO... I've installed 1/8" canopy seal around the affected area. Later on this year I will sand down the filler on the front of the canopy frame to match the airframe when cold. The good news is that I have TONS of filler on this section that I will be very happy to see go away! :)
After I installed the weather seal where I wanted it, I then trimmed down and installed the avionics cover. Ready for some flying. :)
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cold air breeze be gone!
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