RV Journal Product Review
RV-8/8A Canopy Latch
What is it?: device to hold RV-8/8A canopy in partially open position
Where do you get it?: William Davis
109 Woodbury Ave.
Mount Dora, FL 32757
352-383-5842
What does it cost?: $25.00US + $2.00 S/H
Cheers: Really clever device; attractive price; high quality construction; easy to install
Jeers: None
The normally articulated RV8/8A pilot quickly learns that if the safety harness is snugged up tightly, there is no way to reach back far enough to grasp the fully open canopy and slide it to a closed position. The remedy is to either loosen the harness, or hopefully there is a back seat passenger who can push the canopy up far enough for the pilot to latch it shut.
Bill Davis is a resourceful sort of RV pilot, having built an RV-4, RV-6, an extensively modified RV-4, and lately, an RV-8! Since he had no intention of shortening the lifespan of his shoulder joints by rotating them beyond the normal range of movement, Bill decided there had to be a good way to hold the canopy in a partially open position so it could be easily reached by the solo pilot.
This neat little gadget is what emerged from Bill's brain storm. The heart of the latch is a spring-loaded pin that catches the slider roller so the canopy can't slide all the way to the fully open position. As usual, a simple solution to a problem is the most elegant.
Robin Hunt, fellow member of the Alabama RV Redneck Gang, agreed to install the latch on his RV-8.
The latch is installed 22" aft of the forward end of the canopy rail. The provided instruction sheet suggests you install the latch on the side of the cabin that is usually used for entry.
The build quality of the latch is first rate with a very nice weld and high gloss gray finish.
A 3/8" hole is carefully drilled in the center of the roller channel. The recommended location puts the latch between the weldments of the rollbar out of range of knees and elbows, but still within easy reach of the pilot.
Once the 3/8" hole is drilled, the two holes for the supplied screws are located and drilled.
Care should be taken not to damage the slider channel, and to thoroughly clean up drill chips so the roller will continue to operate smoothly.
The screw holes are countersunk to accept the flush head screws provided. The screw heads go in the channel and are secured with ny-loc nuts.
The only failure mode Robin and I could think of was the possibility of a passenger getting trapped in the plane in the panic of an emergency. The latch not only prevents the canopy from closing completely, but it will also prevent it from opening enough for the passenger to egress if a flustered passenger forgets to release the latch.
I suggested, and Robin concurred, that he take a short length of rubber hose, slit it, pull out the latch knob, and place the hose over the latch shaft when the plane is being flown with a passenger. By holding the pin in a retracted position, the latch is dis-armed; the latch isn't needed when a passenger is on board because the rear seat occupant can push the canopy forward to the pilot.
Here is the latch doing its thing, preventing the canopy roller from traversing the aft portion of the channel.
The Davis canopy latch is a device that every RV-8/8A builder is going to want once their plane is flyable. The latch works exactly as advertised and is a high quality unit.
Get yours before Bill figures out he has underpriced these little jewels!
Highly Recommended.
Sam Buchanan