Brief Description: trimmed and drilled the front deck skin, canopy re
This morning I worked on the forward deck skin, with it clecoed in place and all the deck structures clecoed to it I continued the match-drilling into the mating parts and drilling of the skin and the firewall on the firewall flange. I also spent a lot of time determining and marking the exact locations of the cuts to be made in the skin for the canopy hinges, here I found that the plans prescribed locations were no good on the installed deck structure. This puzzled me but some research and questioning had me reassured that each build differs in this regard and allowances had to be made for individuals deck structure installations and locations on the forward fuselage structure which itself may be millimeters out here and there. This is not new to me since I encountered this a number of times on this build already but I expected the hinge locations to be set and perfect, I guess it's relative.
I have still not got the perfect locations and so have not commited to the cut yet, I want to install the canopy release, hinge blocks and related fittings and be 100% sure before I make the final mark and cut. I also want to investigate what other builders have done in this area in what is to many a very unfortunate feature in a very unfortunate and lacking canopy jettison design, the plans say to cut these openeing in the aircraft's skin and cover it with what the builder feels is best, everything from UHMW tape to fiberglass to film has been suggested or used but I am just not sure, the surface finish and sealed structure needs to be maintained but in the event of an emergency the hinges mush break through these openings easily so that the canopy can be removed - which will never happen because it is secured by permanent gas struts ....and and - I have said a lot about the failings of this design and now it haunts me again...
