HINTS FOR HOMEBUILDERS

ALUMINUM ROLLS BY J. KERR Aluminum is often shipped in continuous rolls that can be hard to handle while being uncrated. Before opening a shipment of sheet stock 40 feet long, I came up with this idea which has worked well for me. I assembled this simple cage around the cardboard box with the aluminum still inside. Material for the cage can usually be found laying around and consists of two end pieces of 1/2 or 3/4" plywood, 4 lengths of 2 by 3's long enough to allow a few inches clearance above the aluminum roll and 8 small non-swiveling rubber casters. I used drywall screws for fasteners. After building the cage closely around the box, the cardboard is removed and the aluminum is allowed to spring open against the caster wheels. Now the aluminum can be pulled out at any length needed with the cage upright or laying on the floor.

PLYWOOD ENDS

2 X 3 CORNERS

ALUMINUM ROLL

8 CASTERS

*

(This construction tip was submitted byj. Kerr, EAA 30227, 2441 Pence Dr., El Co/on, CA 92019)

ELECTRIC CANOPY LOCK BY LARRY LAUGHLIN I've been a VariEze and Long-EZ driver for over 15 years and the canopy lock on both (for securing the airplane while left unattended, that is) has always bugged me! Most airplanes, including the Ezes, use a cheap cabinet lock to keep the less honest types out, and that's all! There must be a better way. With a recent airplane face-lift and paint job, I decided to eliminate the locking 4 x 4 inch access door on

the left side of the Eze's fuselage. I've always hated that method of locking the airplane. I never cared for its looks nor its function, not to mention the slight air and water leak-by. So I glassed it over, not knowing exactly how I was going to secure the canopy in the future. Shortly thereafter, I came up with a good method though. I just wish I had installed it 15 years ago. One of my EAA Chapter members and good friend, Wil Price, snowed me how he locked his canopy. I expanded on the concept and came up with this very simple electric lock. By installing a 12v MAC servo inside the fuselage, out of sight behind the door frame 100 JANUARY 1996

1/4 INCH BY 3 INCH PIN

MAC SERVO

^^ |R ANY 1 2V SERVO MOTOR

MICRO DEFEAT,

SAFETY SWITCH IN COCKPIT (ON/OFF)

TWO DOUBLE POLE, DOUBLE THROW POSITION

SWITCHES (DPDT) BARE LEADS FOR EMERGENCY.

X^

USE 9V TRANSISTOR BATTERY

for either function, has to be just right, or the servo will not move one way or anBingo — door is now REALLY locked other. Only the builder knows what the with no signs of any typical key lock. proper combination is and the location of When the pin retracted, the pin becomes the switches. The worst case scenario: flush with the fuselage door frame and What if the servo totally fails in the locked hard to see for most people (unless you position? There again the pilot knows exare looking for it). By the way, a lot of actly where the latch pin is and a small other 12v servos are available for this ap- hacksaw blade will probably get to it (an plication; such as electric mirror motors extremely unlikely event). In reality, the "what-ifs" are pretty reoff cars, smaller radio control servos as used in R/C models, etc. To activate the mote possibilities and let's face facts, if servo in either direction, a pair of hidden someone wants to get into our airplanes, switches may be placed wherever the no lock is going to stop them, especially builder chooses. A third switch, accessi- the toy cabinet lock most of us are using ble only from within the cockpit, is used today on most every airplane. The best location for the Locking to defeat the servo so that it cannot lock while operating the airplane and is only Drive Pin in the Long-EZ is just over the accessible while within the airplane (add instrument panel, aiming back into the front edge of the canopy frame. The servo "defeat switch — OFF" to checklist). What happens if the aircraft battery happens to fit nicely there, however, the dies? hide a pair of leads that may be acti- servo could be placed more remotely, usvated with a 9v battery to unlock the servo. ing an extension wire to drive the pin as Can't anyone unlock the canopy? One needed. The two switches and 9v by-pass would have to first find the two 3-position leads could be placed in the nosewheel, switches, then this person would have to engine nacelle, or any other creative spot. figure out how they worked in order to It's a very simple concept. move the servo lock. In fact, the person would have to be aware that such a device (The electrical hint this month was provided by Larry Laughlin, 3495 Savage even existed on that particular airplane. The combination of switch positions, Ave., Pinole, CA 94564) structure, one can drive a pin through

both the door frame and canopy frame.

A Panel You Could Only Dream About....

Until Now!

When you dream of a perfect panel, do you see it as beautiful and able to provide extraordinary features, accuracy and reliability that would help maximize your flying safety, efficiency and performance?

We can make your dream a reality today! Call us now for more information. Many models and options available for singles & twins.

All units STC'd/PMA'd (Fuel Flow soon). Readers are invited to submit entries to EAA's Hints For Homebuilders, Att: Golda Cox, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, Wl 54903-3086. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of EAA judges. Readers whose hints are published in SPORT AVIATION will be awarded a 7-piece Combination Wrench Set from Snap-on Tools, a $25 gift certificate plus a current catalog from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, a Lenox 4012 Hacksaw Frame from American Saw & Mfg. Co. and a Pro 360 Digital Protractor from Macklanburg-Duncan. Members are also invited to submit hints of an electrical nature. Any hint used will receive a Fluke Model 232 Multimeter with Holster from the John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc. The contest will run from August through July of each year with a Grand Prize being presented by Snap-on Tools, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty ($250 gift certificate), American Saw & Mfg. Co. (Lenox VBKMA-6 Vari-Bit Kit) and Macklanburg-Duncan ($250 cash). A Grand Prize will also be awarded by the John Fluke Mfg. Co. These awards will be presented during the EAA Convention. Our thanks go to our sponsors for these awards.

2 1/4" units available separately (or complete panel shown 5" x 7.5" with no external boxes).

Electronics® International 12620 S.W. 231st PI.

Hillsboro, OR 97123 503/628-9113 FAX 503/628-3215