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Ed de Chazal,

I installed the longeron mounted hinge on my 320 canopy.  it has some pro's
and cons:

Pros:
-it is cheaper to build- I would use 3/8" plate and drill lightening holes
with a uni-bit just to make it more rigid if you go with it. Maybe even
reduce the pattern 30-50% (for rigidity). you can get nice, light, gas lifts
from Volvo 700 trunks or hatches. very high quality.
-it works with the lancair door system.
-I feel better with it not attached to the gas tank. I am concerned about
accident or high wind damage.
-I don't think it needs any beefing up at the longeron area.  and the
installation is almost as light as the Parallel Arm Canopy

Cons:
-the kinematics are a bit funny since the hinge line is lower.  I had two
choices; no pre lift, or prelift which stuck the lip of my canopy into the
wind (does the factory mod do this?)
-engineering time; I added 20-30 hours of engineering to my project and made
several configurations before I got it to work. the location of the hinge
point, its run and its relation to the gas lift are critical. I will post a
picture if you are considering building it that way.

good luck

Scott Dahlgren