|
|
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bill Kennedy, about your canopy latch, I certainly do have some useful hints
;)
It's taken me a year to figure out what to do about my lost canopy lock keys.
Somewhere between the move from my garage to the hangar they grew legs, never
to be seen again. So, a year ago, I called Lancair, who handed me off to the
lock supplier who explained that those cheap looking circular locks (Ace
locks) are not all the same and that, no, he could not send me replacement
keys without the key number. At which point I look into the camera and mouth
the words &%$@ me. The guy said either remove the lock and send it to him, or
find a competent locksmith who can pick and decode ace locks.
Here's the part you care about... I followed the installation instructions to
the letter and bonded the lock barrel into the fuselage so that the face of
the lock was flush to the fuselage skin. The plane has since been painted so
I was afraid that removing it would damage the paint. DON'T BOND the LOCK IN.
Build yourself a support piece that holds the lock barrel and bolt that
support piece in. Make the lock removable. Anybody can lose keys. In my
case, I tried two locksmiths that could not pick the lock. Those locks appear
to be nearly pick proof. Since I did want to lock the canopy, I decided to
remove the lock which I was able to do with very minor paint damage. I've
bonded in the support studs and this afternoon will get the new lock bolted
into position.
Once again, moral of the story is to do the job right the first time. (well,
in this case I forgive myself since I did follow the directions). The rest
of the single lever system went in without a problem and you'll be pleased
with the functionality.
Regards,
Ed de Chazal
LML website: http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore
assist with the management of the LML.
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
|
|