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Jims RV-8
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Date:  12-14-2018
Number of Hours:  2.00
Manual Reference:  9-3
Brief Description:  Underside dam on canopy skirt

The airflow over the RV-8 canopy in flight (as it is shaped like an airfoil) makes for an area of low pressure above the canopy. As a result of this "lifting" the canopy skirt will usually leak air onto the neck of the passenger. It's one of those, "not if, but, how much" kind of things.

So to reduce the amount of airflow on the passenger neck, some builder's will fill in the back portion of the skirt underside to reduce the amount of airflow. The other function this will serve is to provide a thicker surface for the "pull finger" to pull against. This will be easier, and more comfortable. So, that's what I am working on today... building a tape "dam" to hold the flox blend on the underside of the canopy. I have never done this before, so there is a large amount of trial and error...

Finally, I had what I think I wanted and I mixed up a thick batch of non-running flox. This is not structural, just comfort related - so it was mixed to the consistency of paste with the use of micro-balloons. Once it was slathered on the underside I re-installed the skirt on the frame so it dried correctly.
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after picture - dam in place, resin/glass drying

after picture - dam in place, resin/glass drying

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