E7 main gear rubbing canopy

[tonyg]

Hey guys

Just go my e7 ready to fly and the main gear rubs the canopy. Anyone else have this issue. I really don't want to try and heat the canopy. Any longer aftermarket canopy stand offs? Thanks for the help.

[Grimmy]

My E5 did this, and I just shimmed out the back mounts with a small washer.  I didn't have that issue on my E7SE, but I have a different canopy for it.

[Ross Lawton]

Hi tonyg,

Sorry to see your having an issue with the canopy, what is the setup? Is this an original E7 with the push on type fixing post or is it an E7SE with the keychain type fixings?

Either should give adequate clearing for the canopy, is there any chance of getting a picture of your setup to help diagnose?

Some canopies, particularly aftermarket ones can become distored during shipping and some require a little 'tweeking', this is easily done by either doing as Grimmy mentioned and spacing out the mounts slightly with washers or using a soft towel or something similiar between the canopy and main gear to space it out and using a hair dryer lightly warm the canopy to soften it and allow to cool, this should reset the canopy shape and give adequate clearance. Be careful using this method though so you don't get the canopy too hot and soften it too much and distort it.

Hope this helps, and let us know how you get on and if you get a picture just post it up so we can have a look at your setup.

Cheers,
Ross

[Dan Minick]

I was running a couple of new canopies at IRCHA that were rubbing. I took 3/4 inch thick piece of foam and wedged it between the two and set it out in the hot summer sun for a few hours. Fixed

[flyalan]

I have started shipping the N7 canopies with two pieces of pool noodle foam to place between the canopy and main gear. During storage I suggest these be in place.
The N7 canopy seems to rub and distort more often I believe due to the curvature of the canopy.
I have also placed the canopy in an 180 degree oven for 3-5 minutes then immediately attach the canopy with the foam in place. Once cooled they fit well. At least until they get hot again as in sitting in a closed vehicle during the summer.
Cheers
Alan
www.helilids.com

[Bob Heybrock]

I've started keeping pieces of foam rubber wedged in between the canopy and main gear on my E5 and N5c so when they do get hot in my car they stay formed with good clearance. Some of the aftermarket canopies are not as rigid as my original Synergy canopies and are quite easy to shape. I am pretty sure it was Alan who suggested heating them from the inside if that is convenient, great tip!

Bob

[cml001]

+1 to Bob's foam suggestion. I'll foam or anything really to wedge inside the canopy and leave it for a day or two... I've honestly only had to do it a few times.. Sometimes I just us a small foam piece between the gear & canopy while hang'my on the wall between sessions. It'll keep it shape for a while. I also have opted to convert the front canopy mounts on the N5C & E7SE to the channel style mounts off the N7, and while doing so made th a tad bit longer. I think that has helped with clearance more than anything.

[awesomeOne]

Hair dryer worked a treat on my E5 canopy.

Stuart
Citizen #507