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Date:  2-25-2016
Number of Hours:  4.50
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Further Canopy Alignment & Attachment to the Frame

I spent a little time this morning trying to improve the fit of the canopy assembly to the fuselage. Several attempts were made at removing clecos in groups to see if the bubble was distorting the skirt. In the end, I determined that the alignment and attachment points of the bubble to the skirt were optimized.

I experimented with moving the assembly forward and aft to see where it fit the best. It turned out that pushing the assembly forward until the back edge of the skirt aligned with the rivets attaching the upper end of former #1, gave the best fit. The location was marked on the fuselage front and back.

The canopy was removed from the fuselage and the canopy frame set in position. The hinge pins were installed, and the latch pins engaged. The tail of the airplane was elevated and adjusted until level. A self leveling laser was aligned with the vertical center of the left canopy frame angle, and left in that position. The canopy was reinstalled to the marked position and clamped in place. The laser line now indicated the center for the line of rivet holes to be drilled through the skirt and frame. The line was transferred to the skirt with a felt marker, then rivet locations were marked every two-inches, taking into consideration obstructions on the back side.

The same process was repeated for the right side.

The front of the skirt was strapped down to make it conform as much as possible to the upper boot cowl.

The marked locations were drilled to #40, and clecos installed. After removing the clamps and strap, the alignment of the skirt to the fuselage was significantly improved.
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Laser Setting the Rivet Line

Laser Setting the Rivet Line

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Right Side Clecoed to the Frame

Right Side Clecoed to the Frame

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Left Side Clecoed to the Frame

Left Side Clecoed to the Frame

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