canopy

[Reb Wallace]

just a quick note to anyone out there ordering a canopy thru todds canopy if you are replacing an existing canopy on a varieze or any othe r existing AC his canopy doesen,t have a lip like the original canopy. with his canopy you have to modify your frame to make it fit instead of just cutting the glass. unfortunately I found out the hard way.so am sending it back and looking for someone who makes the original canopy that has a lip on it. checked with aircraft parts but havent heard back yet. If anyone has any sugestions please let me know of other options.

[Wayne Hicks]

The Cozy canopy is installed into the decking without a lip.  I believe the Long EZ canopy is installed the same way -- no lip.  I'd be willing to bet your Todd's canopy can be installed onto your VariEze using the same technique:

(1) Roughen up the bottom 3/4-inch along the edge.
(2) Lay a 3/4-inch UNI strip around the bottom edge (inside and out) overlapping onto the turtleback.
(3) Once the foam is shaped and is in place against the canopy glass, dig out a small groove into the foam to expose the UNI strip.  Fold the first ply of outer skin into this groove to lay against UNI strip.  Fill the groove with flox.  Lay up the remaining plies flush with glass.
(4) On the inside skins, simply lay up the glass around the glass and up onto the inside UNI strip.

Todd makes a good product!  No need to send it back as you may have difficulty finding an exact Vari replacement?

[rutanfan]

I have one of Todd's canopies for my Long-ez. The plans call for a lip, but Todd's does not come with one. I made mine exactly as Wayne described without issue... I used the same jigs that the plans called out too... well actually I shortened them a little so that the canopy would be a little wider and a little easier to flair into the strake.

If you prefer the lip you may purchase the canopy from Aircraft spruce: P/N 05-01154 (clear) or 05-01155 (tinted.) I've assumed that these have the lip, but you'll want to call and find out for sure, as I've never seen these in person.

Warm Regards.

Ray.

[Reb Wallace]

that would work if the canopy was the right size and shape it is 24" wide at widest spot and vezy is only 18" wide at widest spot plus the nose is rounded on the new canopy and the veze is slightely pointed.. I can email you some pics. to see if you think I can make it work I don't have a way to post them here. thanks rebel.

[Reb Wallace]

oh I forgot to add this to last post I did order the canopy from aircraft spruce. and that same part #. they get their canopys from todds canopy

[Reb Wallace]

my email is rebel777@frontiernet.net

[rutanfan]

Reb. That doesn't seem right. I don't think my Long-ez canopy is 24" wide. I'll e-mail you some photos when I get home tonight. Something doesn't seem right here. Have you contacted Todd about this problem?

[Reb Wallace]

Yes I talked with Todd I am sending him full size drawing of frame  and he is going to make me a canopy to fit. I am holding the other canopy for him so if you know anyone who needs a longeze canopy let me or Todd know and it can be shipped from here. It is still in the plastic it was shipped in and original crate. Thanks very much Rebel.