I recently had an email from Sonex flyer Norm Sanders who has a new canopy and windscreen made by Ian Linke in South Australia. Here’s what Norm had to say:
“Ian made the entire canopy and it dropped in perfectly. (He said it would just drop in and it did.) You may have been aware that there was a guy in the US making canopies without the bulge on the side. I mentioned this to Ian early on and he said he was planning to do this in the mold he was making. Having well fitting flat sides removes a lot of stress which can lead to cracks. Ian is a very skilled technician and craftsman who has a reputation for making perfect glider canopies which is how I learned of him.
I beefed up the canopy frame to make it stiffer and to give more bonding surface for the Sikaflex which holds the canopy on. I used only a few screws for positioning and the holes were oversized and burnished. No sign of cracks so far.”
From Ian Linke
The canopies are 2 pieces preformed and are both 3mm acrylic.
Price is $1600.00 +gst. for the pair in clear. Add $110.00 for Smoke tint.
Drop on fit, stretch moulded as per glider canopies. This also means they are uniform thickness and annealed for strength and longevity .
Fitting
I recommend bonding on using sikaflex UV without screws or rivets for a smooth flush fit. With appropriate care service life of the acrylic is around 20 years in full sun.
Currently sold out (31/8/2020) but should be available again in about 6 weeks. Normally in stock.
Ian Linke
Aviation Acrylic Mouldings
0414251378