The Track Spine is the strip on top of the Fuselage that guides the aft part of the Canopy, while sliding open. I’m building a special version of the Track Spine, because I want to install the Flyboys SuperTracks. This is an RV-7 modification that allows the Canopy to slide open more then normal, allowing a bigger access to the Baggage compartment.
The special version of the Track Spine is actually a longer RV-8 Track Spine that makes the separate extension kit obsolete.
In order to determine the exact position of the Track Spine, we first need to install the Roll-bar again and temporarily attach the Canopy frame.
On the forward side of the Canopy frame there are two ‘rollers’ that enable the canopy to slide.
With the Canopy frame in place, we can now start determining the location of the Track Spine.
The Track Spine needs to be in the middle of the Fuselage, so that part is simple. However the forward – aft position is determined by the ‘bend’, which pushes the Canopy down when closing.
I use tape to temporarily attach the Track Spine to the Fuselage. This way I can still move it forward or aft.
The sliding rails of the Canopy also need to be (temporarily) fixed to the Fuselage, in order to be able to measure the position of the Canopy frame in relation to the Fuselage.
When the Canopy frame is in the forward position (Closed), the aft top part of the Canopy frame should be so low, that the Rear Skirts that are attached later, meet the top skin of the Fuselage.
The rest of the day I spent measuring and adjusting the Track Spine position, so it meets the specifications of the Van’s manual.
Time: 5 Hours, Rivets: 0/0 (2020-07-05)
Time: 3 Hours, Rivets: 0/0 (2020-07-07)
Time: 3 Hours, Rivets: 0/0 (2020-07-09)
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