REFLECTOR: Canard Cover and cowl attachment system

[Carruth, Joel L]

I had the piano hinge setup on my previous RV-6A: one down both sides of
the cowl, two across the top, two on the bottom and two tiny ones on the
inside of the cowl inlets. The top & bottom were accessible only because
of the oil filler door and the exhaust exit point. 

All hinge pins were tapered on the insertion end and had a loop on the
extraction end to provide an easy pull-point. For those that might enter
the prop arc, this also provided a place to latch it down. 

I never had a problem with the piano hinges in the 200 hours I spent in
that airplane. The only cracking came around the exhaust fairing, but
this was due to the cowling design: too large a gap without internal
support to prevent flexing. 

However, on the Velo, I'm not sure how one would access the top & bottom
hinges pins.  I'm guessing the top would be through the NACA scoops, but
what about the bottom?  Create an access door?

Joel Carruth
Lockheed Martin 
JSF - Pilot System Software
W: (817) 763-4337
Fax: (817) 777-8378
joel.l.carruth at lmco.com

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Scott Derrick
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2005 8:58 AM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Canard Cover and cowl attachment system

Chuck,

Yeah I keep a ready supply of new stainless screws on the top of my tool

box.  I refuse to use a worn looking screw and toss them in the trash.

I can see how I could do the hinges where the cowls fit to the wings, 
but the fuselage junction seems a tough one? 

I don't like the idea of the piano wire coming out into the arc of the 
prop.  That would require a bullet proof secure method.

I'm surprised you can't get a 3/4" torx screw?

Scott

Chuck Jensen wrote:

>Scott, I concur about the screws and washers.  I do a little Irish
dance every time I strip a Phillips head.  Fortunately, out of the
dozens on the cowling and dog house, I've yet to lose one through the
prop, at least I've not noticed any memory marks on the prop.
>
>Ron Brown has the piano hinge arrangement on his and it certainly seems
to work well.  While I'd like a better/faster system, its safe to say
that modifying mine is not on the to-do list.  As a half-step, I'd like
to go to the torx screws but they don't make any screws 3/4" long, which
I need to reach the blind nut on the rear attachment points, so I'll
just keep stripping Phillips.
>
>Chuck
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]On
>Behalf Of Scott Derrick
>Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 7:48 PM
>To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
>Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Canard Cover and cowl attachment system
>
>
>Chuck, I hate all those stainless screws and washers, so does my prop!
>
>Can you get some pictures of all the hinges with a description together

>for those of us that want to change to your system?
>
>You could post them on tvbf or I could on tvbf or my site?
>
>thanks,
>
>Scott
>
>Chuck Harbert wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I have the small canard cutout (approx 7" by 24"), and it is fastened 
>>without screws/fasteners. It uses aluminun wedges on the forward part 
>>and a spring loaded door latch on the aft side. I open it by pulling a

>>cable (runs inside a plastic tube) that opens the door latch. I also 
>>have a couple springs pushing the cover up, so that it doesn't move. I

>>use the same system for the front top door (gear access door?). It 
>>works fine and doesn't move in flight, plus it's very easy to open and

>>close. I understand that some other Velocity's use this system.
>>
>>The thing I like best is my cowl attachment system which uses 6 piano 
>>hinges only (no screws or fasteners). I can take off my cowls in about

>>10 seconds (I've done it). I saw this type of system on a Lancair, and

>>it wasn't that difficult to build, plus it's stronger and doesn't wear

>>out or crack. Don't know if anybody has this on their Velocity.
>>
>>Chuck H
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>To change your email address, visit 
>>http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>>
>>Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
>>user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
>>Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
>>Check old archives:
http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>>
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>_______________________________________________
>To change your email address, visit
http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>
>Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
>user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
>Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
>Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>_______________________________________________
>To change your email address, visit
http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>
>Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
>user:pw =vbf:jamaicangoose
>Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
>Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>
>
>
>  
>
_______________________________________________
To change your email address, visit
http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector

Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html