Began the process of fitting the canopy to the frame. With the uncut canopy (except for the section previously cut off of the aft end) resting in place, the forward edge is about 60mm too far forward and the side are about 100mm above the top longeron in the front and 80mm below the top longeron near the rear. Today I started trimming the front edge.
Here's the process I used: - Ensure the canopy is centered (front to back) and the aft edge is close to (but not touching) the baggage bulkhead. - Measure the forward side edges (near the front "corners") to determine their height above the top longeron - make sure both sides are the same (i.e. centered) - Determine how much of the front edge to trim by transferring the amount to lower the sides to the front of the canopy by sighting through a ruler held vertically in front of the front edge. -- I was always conservative with this measurement to avoid cutting off too much. - Mark the measurement at the centerline (I used a grease pencil or china marker) - Draw a curved line from the two forward corners of the bottom edge through the spot marked on the centerline. - Mark the line with masking tape to make it more obvious. - Cut along the line using a Dremel with a cut wheel. - Repeat all steps until the bubble fits.
So far I have made cuts of 50mm, 25mm and 20mm because I'm too chicken to make one big cut! One more 10-15mm cut should do the trick.
Drawing out the cut line through the mark on the centerline.
The second (25mm) cut compete using masking tape, temporary canopy bracing (wood).
