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wingnut

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 356

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:03 am Post subject: Sliding window for camera

Anyone know of a simple way to add a small sliding window to the upper door of a kitfox? I saw a picture once where someone converted the whole top half of the door into hinged window but I was thinking of something simpler. I just need to open a whole large enough to stick the lense of a camera through.  My sister wants to explore some aerial photography from my kitfox but she's too chicken to fly with the doors off (come to think of it, so am I) and I don't think she can get a good quality picture shooting through the lexan.

_________________
Luis Rodriguez
Model IV 1200
Rotax 912UL
Flying Weekly
Laurens, SC (34A)

kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:26 am Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

Slow down and open the door, ya right, I haven't done that yet, but I'm getting my nerve up, may do it yet.

wingnut

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 356

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:42 am Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

I had the passenger door pop open on me on my first solo with the Kitfox so I know it's not a big deal. My instructor was unfamiliar witht he door latch and I failed to double check that it was secure. That was the passenger door though and I had to change my shorts after as it was. I can't imagine what it would be like for my sister to hold a camera out an open door while hanging out the bottom of a turn while I try to keep the target in view.

_________________
Luis Rodriguez
Model IV 1200
Rotax 912UL
Flying Weekly
Laurens, SC (34A)

runwayrex(at)juno.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:03 am Post subject: Sliding window for camera

I fly with doors open sometimes. Keep this in mind. Remember how the door latch didn't do its job one time? Consider what happens if the seatbelt latch doesn't hold on either (for whatever reason) while turning sharply. Just keep that in mind so you don't land with one less person on board. It's a lonely final approach! 

Rex in Michigan 

-- "wingnut" <wingnut(at)spamarrest.com> wrote:

--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "wingnut" <wingnut(at)spamarrest.com>



I had the passenger door pop open on me on my first solo with the Kitfox so I know it's not a big deal. My instructor was unfamiliar witht he door latch and I failed to double check that it was secure. That was the passenger door though and I had to change my shorts after as it was. I can't imagine what it would be like for my sister to hold a camera out an open door while hanging out the bottom of a turn while I try to keep the target in view.



--------

Luis Rodriguez

Model IV 1200

Rotax 912UL

Flying Weekly

Laurens, SC (34A)





Read this topic online here:



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   [quote][b]

mlpaton2000(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:55 am Post subject: Sliding window for camera

Its a lot easier to take the door off , we do a lot of photography from the plane and the doors havnt been back on in 2 years , I wouldnt put my doors back on in a hurry , much prefer the rush of freedom. good luck 

  Michael 

  9J-FOX

  series 5, 912 100 hp

  



kitfoxmike <customtrans(at)qwest.net> wrote:

  [quote]--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "kitfoxmike" 



Slow down and open the door, ya right, I haven't done that yet, but I'm getting my nerve up, may do it yet.



--------

kitfoxmike

model IV, 1200

speedster

912ul

building 

RV7a

slowbuild wings, fuse, finish kit

"if you're not getting razzed from pilots or the FAA then you're not flying enough"

Do not archive





Read this topic online [quote][b]

Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:39 am Post subject: Sliding window for camera

On Jul 31, 2007, at 8:01 PM, Rexster wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I fly with doors open sometimes. Keep this in mind. Remember how the 

 door latch didn't do its job one time? Consider what happens if the 

 seatbelt latch doesn't hold on either (for whatever reason) while 

 turning sharply. Just keep that in mind so you don't land with one 

 less person on board. It's a lonely final approach!


	


.. and don't do sideslips with the doors open. I understand a member 

of this list lost his turtledeck doing that once. Do I remember 

correctly?



Cheers,

Michel Verheughe

Norway

Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

_________________
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

rexinator(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject: Sliding window for camera

A snap vent probably the simplest vent and I expect you could just leave 

it out before flight to use for photos.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ap/vents.html



Rexinator



wingnut wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  



Anyone know of a simple way to add a small sliding window to the upper door of a kitfox? I saw a picture once where someone converted the whole top half of the door into hinged window but I was thinking of something simpler. I just need to open a whole large enough to stick the lense of a camera through.  My sister wants to explore some aerial photography from my kitfox but she's too chicken to fly with the doors off (come to think of it, so am I) and I don't think she can get a good quality picture shooting through the lexan.



--------

Luis Rodriguez

Model IV 1200

Rotax 912UL

Flying Weekly

Laurens, SC (34A)

  



-- 
	




Rex Hefferan

SE Colorado / K-II / 582-C / still waiting repairs

rexinator(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:21 pm Post subject: Sliding window for camera

By "leave it out" I meant "Not installed" of course!

Rex



Rexinator wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   A snap vent probably the simplest vent and I expect you could just 

 leave it out before flight to use for photos.


	


-- 



Rex Hefferan

SE Colorado / K-II / 582-C / still waiting repairs

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject: Sliding window for camera

Flying with the door open and taking pictures is  thrilling!   My camera is basically a right hand operated unit so  looking through the viewfinder just isn't possible.  I can point in a rough  direction and press the button with reasonable results.  I make sure I  have a strap from the camera around my neck when the door is open and there is  no paper or maps out to blow around. 

[img]cid:638510623(at)31072007-2E50[/img]  

 This picture taken out an open door of my home  (with boathouse)  Camera was actually held upside down and shutter was  released with my thumb.  Picture was later cropped and resized.   Picture taken two years ago.

 

 

[img]cid:638510623(at)31072007-2E57[/img]  

 Noel Loveys, RPP, AME intern

 Campbellton, Newfoundland, 

 Canada

 Kitfox Mod III-A, 582, B box, Ivo IFA

 Aerocet 1100s

 noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca (noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca)

 

 

 Do not archive

 



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_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject: Sliding window for camera

Slowing down is good.  So is not slipping to the open door!  Came close once

while step taxiing. (honest)



Fresh air is ok too. The view when the door opens!!!!  Awesome!



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject: Sliding window for camera

Keep your turns coordinated and neither of you will have any problems.  Fly

slow and try to fly parallel to the area photographed. If you need to go

around and fly by again. Remember most cameras are mildly wide angle which

is ok on the deck but when you're at 3-500 ft a little zoom helps.   I stay

away from turns at slow speeds.  I never know what I have until I get home.



 



Noel Loveys, RPP, AME intern

Campbellton, Newfoundland, 

Canada

Kitfox Mod III-A, 582, B box, Ivo IFA

Aerocet 1100s

noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca



Do not archive



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

wingnut

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 356

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

The snapvent idea is kind of what I had in mind but I need a larger opening. I've seen pictures of conventional airplanes with rectangular sections of window that slide open that would be perfect. I figured that I'd have to fabricate something similar but I have no idea how to go about it.

 	  rexinator(at)gmail.com wrote: 	
		  A snap vent probably the simplest vent and I expect you could just leave 

it out before flight to use for photos.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ap/vents.html



Rexinator



wingnut wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  



Anyone know of a simple way to add a small sliding window to the upper door of a kitfox? I saw a picture once where someone converted the whole top half



-- 

	




Rex Hefferan

SE Colorado / K-II / 582-C / still waiting repairs

_________________
Luis Rodriguez
Model IV 1200
Rotax 912UL
Flying Weekly
Laurens, SC (34A)

kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

you mean like these:

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kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

only one went through

kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

lets try this again

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kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

You have to view the pics from bottom to top, it was an entry into runway16.

Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

Luis, your question has got me thinking about this.  There is no way my photographer (wife) is going to fly with the door open or off either.  I just went out and sat on the passenger side.  The place I would need a camera port is too curved for a sliding window.



I think a hinged window would work easier.  Why don't you have her sit in the airplane and mark where the camera port needs to be for her?  Cut a rectangular hole and go fly with her to see if it works.  When you have it the right size and place make a door to cover the port that swings down to open???



By the way, I fly a lot in helicopters with the doors off.  You couldn't pry me out of there with a crow bar even if the seat belt came loose.

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

wingnut

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 356

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Sliding window for camera

Good point. I was looking at a Cherokee 6 tonight that had exactly that kind of setup. It looked really simple.  Just a rectangle cut out of the window with a door piano hinged at the bottom. The material used in that Cherokee's window is nice and thick so the access door made of the same material was quite sturdy. I'm concerned that the thinner material used in my window will make a flimsy access door requiring some kind of stiffener around the edge. Hope it doesn't come out too ugly.



 	  Quote: 	
		  Luis, your question has got me thinking about this. There is no way my photographer (wife) is going to fly with the door open or off either. I just went out and sat on the passenger side. The place I would need a camera port is too curved for a sliding window.

_________________
Luis Rodriguez
Model IV 1200
Rotax 912UL
Flying Weekly
Laurens, SC (34A)

rexinator(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:59 pm Post subject: Sliding window for camera

I had found this EAA link (for members only) which discusses a way to 

fabricate such a window opening. Since you said "simple" I didn't send 

it before.

http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilders/building/canopy/Installing%20a%20Canopy%20Window...Why%20and%20How%20....html

 (or log in to EAA.org and search for: "canopy window" in "Search 

Members Only" )



Rex

-- 



Rex Hefferan

SE Colorado / K-II / 582-C / still waiting repairs

Jim Shumaker

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 106

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject: Sliding window for camera

Just take the door off and then you don't have to go through the door opening shock.  Tie the camera to the plane or person.  Lens cap off the camera and in the pocket (so it does not flap around).   Actually I don't take the door off very often.  It is easier to just open the door and use the rudder to raise or lower it.  The slower you fly the higher the door floats,  and the easier to open and close.

  

 Jim Shumaker

  

 



 

 ---

_________________
Jim Shumaker

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