Here we go. My second canopy has arrived. What happened to the first you ask? Its a long story. Lets just say for now that it was the wrong size.

This one is HUGE per my measurements. I want to make what is sometimes called a ‘French canopy’. Some of the EZ builders over there have stretched the canopies so that they are out to the sides more like sailplanes (gliders) are made. This can lead to it being narrow at the top if you just pull the sides out which is the last thing I wanted. It is also a challenge for the canopy maker as these things are free blown and this really means curves not straight sides.

Mine has been done to my measurements of the french style and with the highest place forward of the headrest where my head goes. The whole canopy was made higher too so I can cut it down and have the curve removed as if the sides are straight at the sides as I want them. The idea is that the canopy line at the sides will match the curve of the fuselage with no intersection. Here’s a reminder of what I ‘drew up’.

Here we have pics of this really big wide canopy. Just what I wanted to start working with.

Still with me? The minimum height according to the plans is 13.5″ above the longerons at 6″ in front of the headrest. I noted this when I had the headrest made and that height is about an inch above it. As you might see in the pic this canopy has 3″ or 4″ to spare. I would like to sit a bit higher in this plane than my current Long-EZ (VH-JZE) too.  This should give better vision over the nose when on final and landing  and I hope much better vision at the sides.

It remains to be seen where the canopy will sit in the end. You can see in this pic how the sides curve back in and I want that removed. It also has to match at the sides and front and at the back line up with the firewall and the cowl. Installation will not be per plans BUT I do finally have a plan after months of thinking about this. Lets enjoy the ride into this unknown together and see how it unfolds. I am curious. This is a very important part of the build that I want a great result on.