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Sonex 1292
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Date: 11-29-2009
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Number of Hours: 12.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Canopy installed.
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Over the past few days I installed the flip forward canopy (after many modifications to the original design). Now I am evaluating whether or not I want to keep it, change it to the flip-back design, or go to the hinged, flip sideways design of the plans. I really don’t like the hinged design of the plans, and I’ve already installed the ‘wing-walk’ to both wings, so I probably won’t go to the plans design.
Image 1 and 2 show the canopy in the open position. While it may look like there isn’t enough room between the canopy and the turtle-deck for entry to the cockpit, I’ve gotten in and out many times and have never had a problem. In reality, there is plenty of room.
The parts of this design that I don’t like are that it adds about 2 pounds (I had to increase my original estimate) to the plane, and it uses up a little of the cockpit width. Fortunately, the cockpit width at the pilot/passenger shoulder position isn’t reduced.
Flip forward canopy pluses:
1) Able to enter the cockpit from either side.
2) MAY be able to taxi with the canopy open on hot days (Not sure)
3) Nothing added to outside of fuselage, unlike flip back canopy.
4) Should be able to leave the canopy open in windier conditions than original design.
5) MAY be safer in flight than the flip-back design if the wind ever gets under the canopy, lifting it up.
6) More building required to install.
Flip Forward canopy minuses:
1) Extra weight (approximately 2 pounds)
2) Less cockpit width – but not at the shoulders like the flip-back design.
3) Opening and closing the canopy from outside is clumsy – probably similar to the flip-back design.
4) Probably not as safe as the original design.
5) More building material required to install.
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