Brief Description: Canopy latch and other misc work
Today was the day to start finishing up on the myriad tasks that go along with a slider canopy--latch handle, aft latching mechanism, windshield trimming and fitting...etc. It's not hard to understand why many builders choose the tip up option; I have to believe it is significantly less work. But all in all, I really have enjoyed working on this part of the project, and the extra work doesn't bother me.
The forward latching mechanism is a fairly simple D-handle that turns to engage a pin and hook that locks in over center. Due to the variances in canopies and frames, there is a fair amount of excess steel and aluminum that must be carefully measured and then cut or filed to final shape. During this process the canopy comes off multiple times for fitting. I used the RotoZip to trim the steel tube on the inside of the canopy frame and filed it to final size. The aluminum hook required a number of on/off attempts to get fit, and I may have slightly over-trimmed it, I'll wait to see the final fit before I choose whether to replace, but that may be necessary if I can't get it to latch as tight as I need it to.
The aft portion of the frame has pins that slide into nylon blocks that sit in U-channels that are bolted to the longeron. There is a fair amount of measuring and test fitting to get these right as the pins converge forward and inboard as the canopy is closed. I got everything fitted and drilled with the exception of drilling the actual holes as this requires an adjustable drill vise...which I didn't have. Off to find a drill vise...enough for today.
