by rfidler » Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:21 am
I recently inspected a Sonex under construction about 95% completed. Builder has done an excellent job. During my inspection, I became focused on the canopy design. The more I looked, the more I became skeptical about the frame design, rigidity, and fit and finish. When I finished my review, my conclusion was the whole canopy design of the Sonex is feable at best, especially the frame where the aft canopy section mates with the forward section. The Sonex frame, a bent piece of tubing, how crude.
Are any other builders out there that have improved the canopy design and are flying a Sonex with this improved design. My thoughts would be to build one piece hinged canopy design with a carbon fiber frame similar to European Glider designs. These canopy designs have the canopy supported in a carbon fiber frame around the complete profile and this canopy and frame sets into a frame attached to the aircraft. Yes, it would weigh a few more lbs than the current design, but would be far more durable.
What do the current builders and owners of Sonex aircraft feel about the Sonex Canopy design?