Thanks Larry, the uni-directional Carbon Fibre I had seems to be relatively thick and if I went with 18 bid it would be substantially thicker than what is shown on the plans.  I've since found some thinner stuff from Aircraft Spruce that will allow the 18 bid and be within the plan spec, I think.  B.T.W. have you noticed any bowing in the middle when closing the canopy?  Any recommendations for the strip stiffener in there?

Thanks
Doug

>>> Larry Henney <LHenney@charter.net> 02/23/09 5:01 AM >>>
Doug,

I went with the 18 Bid per the plans on 3 aircraft.  

If you are referring to the leading edge contact at the header tank
thickness..?....  All 3 that I built required trimming the carbon back the
width of the header tank overlap (or about 3/4").

No problems on mine 850 hrs to date.  No cracking.

Am I missing your question.  Why would resultant calculated thickness have
anything to do with plans requirement of bids?

Larry Henney


-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Baleshta [mailto:dbaleshta@tru.ca]
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 12:51 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: forward hinge canopy bid thickness LN360

Hi folks, the forward hinge canopy calls for up to 18 bid of unidirectional
carbon fiber.  I measured the thickness and according to the plans it should
be around .140".  The only unidirectional fiber I've found measures in at
.023, or about 7 bid.  Has anyone else come across this and what did you do?
Did any of you use bi-directional CF with any problems?

Thanks
Doug


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