Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2019 10:19 pm
by Airwolf
Does anyone have a picture of where they located the canopy lock pin shown on the WXB-D01 (I’m guessing it is on the Sonex-D01 as well)? I’m having trouble seeing where on the latch and longeron the plans recommend.
Thanks in advance!
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2019 10:39 pm
by mike.smith
Maybe this helps:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 6165&row=7
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 0905&row=8
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 2:00 pm
by GordonTurner
Has anybody come up with a better way than the pin? Is there someway to include a spring in the mechanism so no pin is required to hold it in the closed position? Not quite there yet, but wondering.
Gordon
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:11 pm
by Bryan Cotton
GordonTurner wrote:Has anybody come up with a better way than the pin? Is there someway to include a spring in the mechanism so no pin is required to hold it in the closed position? Not quite there yet, but wondering.
Gordon
My canopy has a spring and the pin, per the plans. Belt and suspenders - I like it.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 11:00 pm
by mike.smith
GordonTurner wrote:Has anybody come up with a better way than the pin? Is there someway to include a spring in the mechanism so no pin is required to hold it in the closed position? Not quite there yet, but wondering.
You really need a positive lock for any canopy. A spring alone isn’t safe, IMHO. The pin I show in my Kitlog site is simple and effective.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 8:42 am
by DCASonex
One thing you can do with the cheap pin that Sonex shows is to also use it through a simple bracket around the toggle lever of as simple master circuit breaker to pin it in the off position. Then the pin has a useful place when both flying and on ground. Almost makes that cheap pin look like a good idea.
David A.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:26 am
by Onex107
How do your rescuers get it out when you are upside down and unconscious?
Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:38 am
by Tnhelm
Canopy locking
Check out Airward.com. They have a spring loaded latch to eliminate the locking pin.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:45 am
by Bryan Cotton
Onex107 wrote:How do your rescuers get it out when you are upside down and unconscious?
How do you get out when it is upside down period?
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:59 am
by builderflyer
At least two Sonex that I am aware of have had the canopy come open in flight when a locking pin was not used. Both aircraft made it back to the runway but not without a flight that anyone one would choose to repeat voluntarily. A spring, alone, will not necessarily keep the canopy closed.
Art,Sonex taildragger #95,Jabiru 3300 #261
Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 11:14 am
by caveman370
I’m thinking about relocating my pin more in the middle of the bar. I had the back of the canopy raise up when I didn’t get the aft latch secured even with the pin installed. Luckily the throttle and the hand hold were close together to nurse it back around for a safe landing.
It’s on my pre takeoff check list to look at now!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:25 pm
by Tnhelm
I mentioned the Airward option but don’t think I would rely on it alone. I’m installing the pin on my OneX. By the way, hard off field landing I had, the canopy shattered and left the aircraft. No trouble getting out.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 6:33 pm
by Corby202
I just use a spring clip made from folded aluminium. This clips into the slot on the canopy rail once the canopy is shut.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 6:47 pm
by mike.smith
Onex107 wrote:How do your rescuers get it out when you are upside down and unconscious?
The Sonex canopy is a relative egg shell. A good kick does wonders. For any aircraft if you’re making a forced lading the check list should include unlatching the door. In the case of the Sonex, removing the pin.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 5:14 pm
by mike.smith
mike.smith wrote:
Onex107 wrote:How do your rescuers get it out when you are upside down and unconscious?
The Sonex canopy is a relative egg shell. A good kick does wonders. For any aircraft if you’re making a forced lading the check list should include unlatching the door. In the case of the Sonex, removing the pin.
I still had my old canopy lying around, so last night I did a test and I kicked it once. A 2’ square hole shattered in it, just from one kick.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 6:29 pm
by Spaceman
mike.smith wrote:
mike.smith wrote:
Onex107 wrote:How do your rescuers get it out when you are upside down and unconscious?
The Sonex canopy is a relative egg shell. A good kick does wonders. For any aircraft if you’re making a forced lading the check list should include unlatching the door. In the case of the Sonex, removing the pin.
I still had my old canopy lying around, so last night I did a test and I kicked it once. A 2’ square hole shattered in it, just from one kick.
I’m like 95% done building my canopy and dying to be done with it. Picturing what you just said made me cringe!
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:15 am
by DCASonex
Definitely cringe worthy ! Installed mine after a lot of fitting work, and next day found three cracks running up the side. Replaced with a Todd’s canopy (no longer available) and bonded to new frame. That was 7 years 370 hours and a lot of bounced landings ago, all still good. One key might be to be sure to avoid any scratches on the canopy surface, especially inside on lower edges. The A model canopies bulge out on sides and have to be pulled in to the frame. That puts the inside surface in tension. any minor nick of scratch will then start a crack.
Those with A type canopies might be interested in one quick and lightweight means to greatly strengthen the structure. Mine caught a gust of wind when opening one day and when it reached full open, slightly over bent the rear bow down near the hinge. (if had not been bonded, probably would have cracked it) Open a standard canopy and give it a slight push when fully open and you will see that rear bow near the hinge is where any flexing takes place. That puts a lot of stress in that area. Adding a 1/2" aluminum tube diagonally from right rear corner,at hinge, up to about top center, and fastening to the existing horizontal member as well, makes the whole assembly much stiffer. Very simple and light weight. Really have to try it to believe how much more solid the whole assembly becomes.
David A.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 2:32 am
by Spaceman
To answer the original post, I asked Sonex the same question a few weeks ago because the plans didn’t show where the pin was located. Attached is the photo they sent me of where they put it!
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 10:19 pm
by Airwolf
Thanks Spaceman!
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 1:59 pm
by Fritz
I know this is an old thread but I just saw it so it’s new to me 
IMHO: The idea of a canopy that can’t easily, quickly and obviously be opened from the outside is just nuts. …but to each their own
The first person to reach you, and maybe your passenger, might not be a highly trained fireman with a crash axe. It’s more likely to be an out of breath farmer or motorist that just ran 200 yards through a corn field.
They’re probably going to spend a minute or two trying to figure out how to open the canopy, it’s human nature, they’ve never heard of a vehicle “door” that can’t be opened from the outside. Hopefully they realize that they’re not going to find a “handle” and hopefully they have the presence of mind to try to bust the canopy open. Now your betting your life that this random bystander is going to have the strength, agility, situational awareness and kung fu skills to punch a whole in the canopy.
When they finally bust a hole in the canopy they’re going to spend another minute or two trying to push, pull and turn everything they can reach to release the canopy. They will have absolutely no clue they have to remove a canopy lock pin first. When that doesn’t work, they’re going to have to figure out that they have bust out the whole canopy to get you you out. …hopefully your not bleeding or there’s fuel pouring out everywhere, God forbid there’s a fire
A simple over-center latch that that can be opened from either side (like we’ve used since the dawn of aviation) with a simple “TURN TO OPEN” sign with an arrow is a no brainer. IMHO
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:01 pm
by WaiexN143NM
Hi fritz, all,
Good post! where did you get that latch? or did you make it? pics of the inside please?
Have you gotten a chance to fix up the waiex from your off field landing?
take care
WaiexN143NM
Michael
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 4:00 pm
by Fritz
Hi Michael,
I’ll sneak out to the airport and take some more pictures. Our’s is a “sketch on a bar napkin and build it from scraps” sort of thing, I’m sure there are lots of prettier ones on the internet.
The Waiex is coming along fine. Robert did an amazing job of straightening the gear legs, the sheet metal work is almost done and we’ve got a Zenith 1499x carb for it. Now we just need to wait 6 to 8 weeks for a new prop ;(
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2020 10:22 pm
by Fritz
Here are a couple of photos of how we did our canopy latch. It won’t win the Lindy award but it was quick and easy. This is a “Give Flight” project airplane so we were under the clock to “get it done now, make it pretty later”.
One of the attach points is the existing canopy handle. I’d rather it was a separate pivot pin but we already had the handle installed and didn’t want to redo everything. I’m keeping a close eye on the handle for wear. If it starts to wear we’ll come up with a better system, maybe put a bushing on it or something.
Half closed to show the over-center link.
Closed showing the link over-center.
The force that keeps it locked is contact between the latch mounting block and the canopy “hook rail”. It used to lock with a bit of a “bang” so we added a little piece of cork gasket at the contact point. Now it locks with more of a “thump”, …much nicer
If the photos don’t make sense I’ll sketch it up in SolidWorks.
HTH
Fritz
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2020 11:40 pm
by WaiexN143NM
Hi fritz,
thanks for the pics. looks like all steel except for the alum block, and the outside handle . the stub bracket gets welded to the tube? or is the tube cut and a section bent 90* ?
yes any more demensions or drawnings would be great.
and the pics are reversed. ? this goes up front to the left lower canopy. the pics look like rt front.
WaiexN143NM
Michael
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 12:06 am
by Fritz
Oops, sorry… yes, the pictures are reversed. I used the front (selfie) camera on my phone and had a setting wrong.
I’ll draw it up in CAD to fill in some of the details.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:19 am
by 984dm
Fritz,
Does this latch design in any way put pressure against the canopy material? Any chance that over time (from all the vibrations related to flying), it could cause any stress cracks to develop?
Yes, I’d appreciate seeing some drawings also.
Thanks,
Dave Misner
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:58 pm
by Fritz
This latch doesn’t put any stress on the canopy itself. All the force is between the end of the “hook rail” and the mounting block.
I made a CAD model of it to show the basics of how it works. There are lots of ways to skin a cat like this, this is just what we came up with.
I can’t really make an accurate measured drawing of it that would work on any other airplane. If the canopy handle or the mounting block are in a slightly different location (even just a few thousandths) the geometry would be way off. It’s definitely a “file to fit” project.
But here’s a sketch that would put you in the ballpark:
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:22 pm
by WaiexN143NM
Hi fritz,
Wow! thanks so much for your time. will give us something to do in this madness. what is the outside handle made from? will look over the internet for something. anyone else have some good leads on a handle?
Happy Easter and good health to all.
WaiexN143NM
Michael
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:48 pm
by lakespookie
Fritz wrote:This latch doesn’t put any stress on the canopy itself. All the force is between the end of the “hook rail” and the mounting block.
I made a CAD model of it to show the basics of how it works. There are lots of ways to skin a cat like this, this is just what we came up with.
Waiex Canopy Latch 3.JPG
Waiex Canopy Latch 5.JPG
Waiex Canopy Latch 4.JPG
Waiex Canopy Latch 6.JPG
I can’t really make an accurate measured drawing of it that would work on any other airplane. If the canopy handle or the mounting block are in a slightly different location (even just a few thousandths) the geometry would be way off. It’s definitely a “file to fit” project.
But here’s a sketch that would put you in the ballpark:
Latch Link and Arm.jpg
This is awesome i am suprised the factory has not adopted something like this.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:28 am
by DCASonex
That latch is one of the best bits of design work I have seen in while. Keeping designs simple is not easy.
David A.
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 11:08 pm
by Mustang
Now on the inside red handle. What locks it down when it’s pulled back. I have 160 hours flying a standard AeroVee Sonex. All I had was a little pin lock. Your left arm is next to that lever. In turbulence, what prevents me from bumping up that little red lever?
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 12:16 am
by WaiexN143NM
Hi mustang,
Ive been working during the covid lockdown in the back yard on my own design. I too thought about your concern
bumping the latch when its horizontal in turbulance , when your hand is near the side mounted throttle. i think when its latched (clsd) i’ll adjust my latch red handle to be straight up.
mine is coming along. looking forward to installing it when i get back to tucson.
be safe all.
WaiexN143NM
Michael
Re: Canopy Lock Pin
Posted: Sat May 16, 2020 8:37 pm
by WaiexN143NM
Hi Fritz, all,
Good job fritz on the virtual zoom meeting today. Im working on my own design very similiar to yours.
i did get some decals from spruce , they have them in red and open - close + arrows and correct direction. cw or ccw.
take a look. yes - need label for bystanders or first responders…if ever needed.
Let us know when your back in the air!
WaiexN143NM
Michael