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Touring Motor Gliders Association (TMGA)

Vibration induced plexiglass cracks near canopy hinge


Gfeldman

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Hi all,

Has anyone seen tiny cracks (as seen in the attached photo)in their canopy which seem to result from vibration? Any ideas about how to damp this shaking? 
 

George Feldman

N33GF

3B2DC5BA-3545-43E3-9382-94E3B8022715.jpeg

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George, those are scratches on the canopy made by the upper cowling when it is removed and put back on.  There is no room between the cowling and the canopy when it is open.  Always close the canopy when dealing with the cowling.

Vibration can cause cracks around nuts and existing holes, such as around the window vents but not in the middle of a canopy such as this.  Never overtighten the nuts on the canopy windows, and never lift or shut the canopy by the window to avoid those cracks.

You can take out some scratches with Micro Mesh which works very well.  But you have to be careful not to sand too much or you will induce distortions into the canopy.   There are companies which can take most scratches out of a canopy, such as Fidel Ramirez in Moriarty New Mexico.  He is a master. 

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Hi Jim,

the cracks shown in this picture have gotten worse over time. The canopy has not been removed since it was installed by the factory and I never have opened the canopy using the window.Thanks for the info.
george

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