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Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
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Date:  9-30-2013
Number of Hours:  1.50
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Canopy frame fitting

My goal is to make the "big cut" within the next day or two in order to take advantage of some warm weather before autumn takes over in Kansas. The builder's manual suggests a temperature of 75 - 80 deg for the best chance of crack-free cutting, and with the temps we've had lately it should be around 85 deg in the hangar most evenings this week. I've read up on the various techniques for cutting the canopy and aside from using extreme caution and practicing on the waste flanges, it seems relatively straightforward.

Tonight I started by measuring and remeasuring the canopy frame to make sure I had it on correctly. It always throws me a bit when the manual says one thing and my measurements say another, but I have to remember that I'm building this particular aircraft, not Van's. The measurement in question suggests that the canopy tracks should be approximately 40 13/16" apart, but mine are about 3/8" wider with the canopy frame inside of the fuselage skin by 1/16". I can't make the fuselage any narrower (nor would I want to), so I accepted it and drilled the brackets.

Following that, I measured and drilled a couple of holes for the guide rail so that I could more firmly attach it than it was with duct tape. Then I drilled the 1/4" holes for the threaded rod that helps support the aft frame. Finally I took the canopy frame over to the canopy and began my measurements. Enough for the night.
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Aft frame brace initial fit

Aft frame brace initial fit

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Checking the frame against the canopy

Checking the frame against the canopy

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