Problem: Strength, Durability Of Tip-Up Canopy Attachment

If you have or are building a Van's RV-7 or RV-9 with the standard tip-up canopy, click on over to the company's web site and check out Service Bulletin 05-01-01, which was issued last week.

Van's engineers have strengthened the area of the plane where the canopy attaches; the Bulletin says, "The 'new configuration' provides a more direct load path.... Additionally, the new configuration is simpler to install and slightly lighter."

The bulletin applies equally to the taildragger basic models and trigear -A model sport planes. Indeed, almost all RV-7s and -9s with the tip-up canopy are affected; only kits shipped since Dec. 19, 2004 incorporate the new parts. Other RV models,including the RV-7s ancestor, the RV-6, are not affected. Nor are RV-7 and RV-9 series airplanes or kits with the optional sliding canopy.

If you have a finished aircraft, or have already riveted together the area in question using the original parts, Van's will provide a spacer plate and a set of four screws and washers that serve the same purpose as the new design. Van's provides this kit, the "7/9 TIP-UP SPACER KIT," free of charge.

If you have not completed your RV-7 or RV-9 kit to the point of drilling the attach holes in the F-706A-L/R Bulkhead for the F-732C-L/R plates, you can use the "new configuration" parts that are being shipped with the most current RV kits. Van's Aircraft calls this one the "7/9 TIP-UP NEW CONFIG" kit and it, too, is free on request to RV-7/-7A/-9/-9A kit owners and builders.

FMI: www.vansaircraft.com