Posted Tuesday, April 28, 2009 @ 04:24 PM  

Regarding your questions- a lot, maybe most Fourniers have sliding windows so you can latch the canopy from the outside. True aerobatics nuts like Mr Grimstead (also called FournierBob) doesn´t like the window because cracks can start there, but as you already know an unlatched canopy can open in unwanted situations and maybe cause more damage. I recommend always latching the canopy when groundhandling your RF 4 so if you can´t latch from the outside through the circular holes you have I think you should find a way to latch from the outside. The latch could be discussed in a thread of its own, mine is tricky and somewhat unreliable, just the day before yesterday it opened partly during an aerobatic session- I wondered were that unfamiliar sudden whistling noise came from....

Regarding tie downs- (I do it quite often, see my "just 4 commuters" thread) I just screw three earth anchors down and secure with straps through the wheelforks of the outriggers (there are different types of outriggers, yours seem to be close to the original) and the convenient tailhandle(see "Miscellaneous-getting your RF in the hangar"-thread) on XST (previous G-AVNX), but that´s of course not exactly a tornado-safe way of tie-downs.

Posted Sunday, May 31, 2009 @ 06:56 AM  

Belated congratulations on joining our select group. I really hope you enjoy your RF4.
I first tried sending congratulations about a month ago, but my computer has been defying me.

I am glad to hear you made 1200 miles in one-and-a-half days. Later this summer, I have to fly around 1,500 miles from England to central Sweden and back in two days each way for an airshow. That will not only be the furthest I've ever flown in a Fournier, but the furthest I've ever flown in any lightplane, so I am pleased to hear you did your journey with little or no trouble.

Please do keep us informed of your progress on updating and improving your airplane.

When I fitted a replacement canopy and frame to my blue one, I found the only way to get the frame to fit was to remove the Plexiglas from the frame (very carefully, and on a hot day). Then I could cold-bend the frame to a better shape. The plexi went back on again fine, and now I have fewer drafts (but still some). Adhesive foam draft-proofing strip around the edges also helps.

Good luck Bob, and I hope you get at least as much pleasure from your Fournier as I have from mine over the years.

Yours, Bob G