From: RWolf99@aol.com
Message-ID: <e.3d3b15b.272504fa@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 23:05:30 EDT
Subject: LNC2 Canopy Trim Comments
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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I spoke to Don Goetz at the AOPA Convention on Friday, and he told me some 
interesting things regarding trimming the LNC2 canopy.  

First, he said there was a light "cut to" line in the canopy frame as 
shipped.  I do not know whether the fast-build kit is already trimmed to that 
line.  

Second, he said that trimming the frame is most valuable in front for 
improved forward visibility.  Trimming along the sides is almost useless, 
since all you get is a better view of the inner wing.  Big deal.  And 
trimming the back is not very useful (presumably because you're faster than 
everyone else?).  Anyways, I could not trim the forward edge because there 
was just enough material for bonding the plexiglass into the frame -- I 
didn't want to cut any more away.  I put the seat cushions in and sat in the 
plane and examined the visibility.  I also talked my wife and a rather short 
friend of hers to do the same.  (No, not at the same time.)  We all agreed 
that trimming the sides was not necessary.  I felt that over-the-shoulder 
visibility was improved by trimming the back, so I did that.  I removed about 
1-1/2 inches of frame in the back (to what appears to be a "cut to" line) and 
made a large radius corner.  I also trimmed about an inch off the glass in 
the back, but more on this later.

Don also said that 1 inch of Hysol bonding surface is preferred, even though 
the manual calls for 5/8 inch and allows less in the front.  Don says that if 
you ever hit a bird, you'll be glad that you have the full inch.  Mine is now 
set to 1 inch all around except in the front, where it is limited to about 
9/16 due to interference with the carbon fiber stiffener.  I think I cut 
about an inch off all around, but none in the front.  I'll be bonding it in 
over Christmas when a gullible friend is coming down to help.

Cutting the plexiglass was easy with a fiberglass reinforced Dremel cut off 
wheel.  I have a 1.5 inch diameter wheel that I bought at a gun show -- the 
hardware store ones are only 1 inch diameter.  Just go reasonably slowly and 
you'll have no problems.  It's really just like cutting thick fiberglass.

As an aside, Don says the first airplane was built by him with Lance 
scurrying behind frantically taking measurements and writing down 
instructions, trying to keep up with Don, and that's where the manual came 
from.  I thought it was a cute story that y'all might like to hear.  Of 
course, that's just Don's side of the story.  I wonder how Lance remembers 
it....

- Rob Wolf
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