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Permalink Reply by Jim B Belcher on September 6, 2013 at 9:26am

Rich, I'm nearing completion on my XLB, and I haven't flown it yet. I have a similar concern about the canopy seal. In my case, it's at the rear of the canopy. I feel the tube that holds the canopy doesn't always quite fit the curve that it needs to fit.

When I get an engine run, and get into taxi tests, I think I will know if the canopy actually seals or not (it's that close). I have several concerns about the canopy not sealing:

1) Excessive cockpit noise

2) Inside temperature, especially in cold weather.

3) The potential for exhaust gas getting into the cockpit.

4) Air flow inside the airplane (wind) that makes it difficult to keep charts from blowing around.

I think the probability of the third one is relatively small, because I suspect the flow of air around the canopy will create a low pressure area that pulls air through the fresh air vents, under the unsealed area, and out of the cockpit. Since the fresh air vents are out of the exhaust area, this sounds like it will be safe.

My plan at the moment is to put an interior foam seal around the rear canopy base, should this become necessary.

Jim

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Permalink Reply by Richard Simmons on September 6, 2013 at 9:39am

For leaks, my actual concern is the LH RR side in the lower 20% zone where the bulb of the seal is what really makes contact to the outer skin.

I too will wind up with some form of secondary seal as well in this area.

My question though is how much preasure is too much which is apllied by the seal to metal contact after final assembly.

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