ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

Any thoughts regarding canopy? I'm in PA, so leaning to enclosed, but the open cockpit would so be nice in summer, which is when most flying occurs. Is the enclosed canopy a little claustrophobic?

I'm wondering about fuel tanks. One doesn't give much flying time when allowing for a reserve. I'm wondering about the obstacles plumbing a second tank as well as the weight of that additional fuel.

Thanks!

John C
Kids Building Planes

Why not make both open & closed? I did.  I also fitted two wing tanks with no fuse tank. Used a simple L or R selector cock. Also fitted .sight glass' section of clear tubing in the cockpit to use as a fuel gauge.

So the enclosed canopy comes apart? That roof piece and everything else? Or, is the lower canopy always there and just the top can come off? I'm building EROS. For fuel, it's a left wing tank. I thought about Cub or Champ set-up with metal rod on a float for fuel level indicator.

No, the enclosed canopy doesn't come apart.

I built the enclosed canopy along the lines as per drawings (I made a one-piece screen to avoid the ally joiner strips - see pic).
Then I unscrewed that at the long lateral hinge, & built a 2nd open canopy, using the same lateral hinge to attach it. The open canopy hinged just like the one piece canopy.

Thank you for that info and photo. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

John C