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Canopy latching system

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rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

Wade,

      I would not advise any builder to  use the latching system from Zenith. 

I have had nothing but trouble from  mine since the airplane was new.  First 

the canopy would not latch so  on the advice from some of the net members, I 

raised the lower latch part by  1/8th inch using a shim under it.  Then the 

canopy would latch and now  when it is latched and I am trying to open it 

turning the knob on the left  side of the canopy, it sticks.  I plan to 

eliminate the entire system  and use latches like the ones on the box I have 

enclosed a picture of.   I would advise anyone building this aircraft to do 

the same.  This is  the system being used on all KR aircraft and I know from 

experence, it works  fine and if you are scratch building it's a lot cheaper.



 Tracy Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

Electrical_Equipment_Box.jpg

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Jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:35 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

Tracy,



I know that the ZAC latching system is somewhat "mickey mouse," but, for the life of me, I don't see how your pictured latches would work.  If they are mounted outside, how do you latch them from inside (and visa versa)? Maybe I'm missing something.  How do the KR guys work them? 



Jay in Dallas

Do not archive



"robert stone" <rstone4(at)hot.rr.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  Wade,

      I would not advise any builder to use the latching system from Zenith.

I have had nothing but trouble from mine since the airplane was new.  First

the canopy would not latch so on the advice from some of the net members, I

raised the lower latch part by 1/8th inch using a shim under it.  Then the

canopy would latch and now when it is latched and I am trying to open it

turning the knob on the left side of the canopy, it sticks.  I plan to

eliminate the entire system and use latches like the ones on the box I have

enclosed a picture of.  I would advise anyone building this aircraft to do

the same.  This is the system being used on all KR aircraft and I know from

experence, it works fine and if you are scratch building it's a lot cheaper.



Tracy Stone

Harker Heights, Tx

ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

wjones(at)brazoriainet.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:35 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

Thanks Tracy ,I will consider the change .However I  think the rotary latch supplied by ZAC looks much nicer . DO NOT  ARCHIVE

 Wade Jones    South Texas 

601XL plans building

Cont.  0200

 [quote]   ---

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:04 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

I will use hard wood blocks (Oak) to mount the latches onto on the inside. 

One on each side.  Both the uper and lower surface must be the same so that 

the entire lach will fit right.  When I get mine done, I will post a picture 

so you can see how it's done.



Tracy Stone

---

pmaxpmax(at)HOTMAIL.COM
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:15 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

My Zenith supplied latches work just fine.  130 hours so far.  I guess we all have different experiences.

  

 If you use the latches shown in the pictures, it may be hard for someone on the outside of the plane to open the latch and get you out if they need to.



Phil Maxson

 601XL/Corvair

 Northwest New Jersey

  	  Quote: 	
		    From: rstone4(at)hot.rr.com

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Zenith-List: Canopy latching system

Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 16:54:32 -0500



     Wade,

      I would not advise any builder to use the latching system from Zenith. 

I have had nothing but trouble from mine since the airplane was new.  First 

the canopy would not latch so on the advice from some of the net members, I 

raised the lower latch part by 1/8th inch using a shim under it.  Then the 

canopy would latch and now when it is latched and I am trying to open it 

turning the knob on the left side of the canopy, it sticks.  I plan to 

eliminate the entire system and use latches like the ones on the box I have 

enclosed a picture of. 

  

 <<SNIP>>

	
Change is good. See what's different about Windows Live Hotmail. Check it out!  [quote][b]

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

The canopy is only 1/8th inch thick and would be  very easy to break in an emergency.

  

 Tracy Stone

 [quote]   ---

stshuck(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

I like your idea of separate latches, however I  think I can expand on it.

 [quote]   ---

bryanmmartin

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1018

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

I haven't had any trouble with mine in 200 hours other than having one 

side come open in flight a couple of times due to not ensuring that it 

was fully latched. One good thing about the supplied latching system is 

that in case of an emergency, the canopy can be easily opened from the 

outside by rescue personnel. I have seen homebuilts with canopy latching 

systems that do not allow it to be opened from the outside. The only way 

to get an unconscious pilot out in an emergency would be to break open 

the canopy.

robert stone wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Wade,

       I would not advise any builder to use the latching system from 

 Zenith.

 I have had nothing but trouble from mine since the airplane was new.  First

 the canopy would not latch so on the advice from some of the net members, I

 raised the lower latch part by 1/8th inch using a shim under it.  Then the

 canopy would latch and now when it is latched and I am trying to open it

 turning the knob on the left side of the canopy, it sticks.  I plan to

 eliminate the entire system and use latches like the ones on the box I have

 enclosed a picture of.  I would advise anyone building this aircraft to do

 the same.  This is the system being used on all KR aircraft and I know from

 experence, it works fine and if you are scratch building it's a lot cheaper.

 Tracy Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

 

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

 


	


-- 

Bryan Martin

Zenith 601XL N61BM

Ram Subaru, Stratus redrive

Do Not Archive

_________________
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL, Stratus Subaru.
do not archive.

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:02 am Post subject: Canopy latching system

Steve,

  

      Then do so and put your  ideas out on the net.  This is how we come to the best way to do  anything.  If you have a better way, I would sure be interested.  I  have built both a KR-1 and KR-2 and now own a ZodiacXL with the Jabiru 3300  engine so I am not without experence but this does not mean my ideas cannot be  improved on.

  

 Tracy Stone

 [quote]   ---

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:43 am Post subject: Canopy latching system

Bryan,

     In a situation where a pilot must be extracted by people outside the 

destruction of the canopy is of no importance and having just cut two holes 

in mine to install air vents I found that it is thinner than 1/8 inch.  It 

looks to be just thick and therefore strong enough to hold up when flying at 

140 MPH but not hard to break in an emergency.



Tracy Stone

---

rickpitcher

Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 76

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Canopy latching system

 	  rstone4(at)hot.rr.com wrote: 	
		  when it is latched and I am trying to open it 

turning the knob on the left  side of the canopy, it sticks.  



 Tracy Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300 	




You might try to adjust the latch mechanism so it doesn't stick. When I made my latches I used some '87 Mazda trunk latchs * with the remote release mechanism. I had to adjust the trip-wire on both latches so they would release at the same time. It's not that difficult.



BTW, I understand that you have already considered emergency egress. In case of a problem the rescuers will just smash the canopy open. But if you use the suitcase latches on the inside, how are you planning on latching the canopy from the outside after you park the airplane?  Another set of latches?



Rick



* The Mazda trunk latches are almost identical in appearance to the Zenith latches, but with built-in switches that light up a "trunk unlocked" light on the dashboard of the car. I used these to turn off a pair of red lights on the annunciator panel marked "Canopy Unlatched".  The lights stay lit until the latch on the corresponding side of the canopy is securly locked. Works great!

bryanmmartin

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1018

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:05 am Post subject: Canopy latching system

That's true, but doing so takes longer, takes more effort and may 

require some kind of tool. The rescuer then has to reach in past the 

broken shards of the canopy to extract the pilot.



The first person on the scene may have nothing but bare hands to work 

with. In a dire emergency, time may be in very short supply. It would be 

much quicker and easier if all the rescuer had to do is turn a handle, 

lift the canopy and then have fewer obstacles to overcome to get the 

pilot out.



There have been many cases where the pilot was dragged from a burning 

wreck by a bystander before professional, fully equipped rescuers could 

get to the, by then, burned out hulk. There have also been cases where 

the pilot died because the rescuer could not break through the structure 

in time.



I remember one accident during Oshkosh a few years ago where a plane 

crashed in a neighborhood near the field and witnesses to the crash had 

to break open the canopy to get at the occupants. They managed to get 

the passenger out but the pilot died in the fire before they could get 

him out. If the canopy were easier to open, the results might have been 

different.



robert stone wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Bryan,

     In a situation where a pilot must be extracted by people outside the 

 destruction of the canopy is of no importance and having just cut two 

 holes in mine to install air vents I found that it is thinner than 1/8 

 inch.  It looks to be just thick and therefore strong enough to hold up 

 when flying at 140 MPH but not hard to break in an emergency.

 

 Tracy Stone

 


	


-- 

Bryan Martin

Zenith 601XL N61BM

Ram Subaru, Stratus redrive

Do Not Archive

_________________
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL, Stratus Subaru.
do not archive.

clojan(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:14 am Post subject: Canopy latching system

dont understand how that would work on the outside? j

  



Steve Shuck <stshuck(at)comcast.net> wrote:

  [quote]        I like your idea of separate latches, however I think I can expand on it.

  [quote]  ---

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

Jack,

      These latches are mounted  on the inside, not the outside.

  

 Tracy

 [quote]   ---

stshuck(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:52 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

It won't, you will have to get yourself  out..

 [quote]   ---

clojan(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

still doesnt make scence?

  



Steve Shuck <stshuck(at)comcast.net> wrote:

  [quote]    It won't, you will have to get yourself out..

  [quote]  ---

clojan(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject: Canopy latching system

still doesnt make scence?

  



Steve Shuck <stshuck(at)comcast.net> wrote:

  [quote]    It won't, you will have to get yourself out..

  [quote]  ---

paulrod36(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:59 am Post subject: Canopy latching system

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  I can't comment on ZAC's latches, since I scratch-built the canopy, and  used spring-loaded barrel bolts myself, but how do you open (or close) the  canopy from the other side of where the latches are?  Seems to me that if  you put them inside, you can't secure the canopy when you walk away, and if you  put the,m outside, you can't close the canopy for flight.  This may be my  dumb question for the year, but, how will you set up the latching system?

  

 Paul Rodriguez

 601XL/Corvair

 [quote]   ---

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