February 4, 2007 - Aft Canopy

Super Bowl Sunday!  It's pretty cold outside so I'm going to build instead of fly. 

I needed to trim some more off the center trailing edge so it wouldn't bump into the bulkhead flange on the fuse. 

Now I'm able to slide the aft canopy under the aft top skin. 
But then I realized the front lower corners needed trimming so they would lay flat against the roll bar.  I marked the cutoff line with tape.  First I drilled 1/8" hole at the vertex of that angle with the plastic bit.  Then I used the Dremel tool and little cutting disk to make the line cuts.  The wheel started to bind at the end so I finished the cut off with my Exacto saw.  I smoothed the edges with the Dremel sanding cylinder which does an awesome job.
Next I needed to mark where the aft canopy holes would be on the aft top skin.  I spaced the holes 2 1/2" apart per the drawings and about 5/32" inch from the edge.  I drilled #53 pilot holes (close to 1/16") like Dan Checkoway did. 
Next I drilled #40 holes in the roll bar.  I tried to use 2 1/2" per the drawings but in a few places I couldn't because of the pop-rivets.  I made it relatively evenly spaced and symmetrical on both sides. 
I put the aft canopy back on.  I don't have enough suitable clamps so I postponed drilling. 
It's hard to see because the glass is so clear, but the notch I cut out of the front bottom corners worked nicely. 
There is plenty of canopy "overhang" on the inside. 
Lynnette came down and we riveted for about 45 minutes.  The main spar riveting is easier now because there are no nutplates to cause trouble anymore.  I think our next session might be the last one.  The most difficult riveting is behind us now. 
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