I am rebuilding/repairing my Rookie.

I have the canopy almost completed. My question concerns the outer framework of the canopy which is torn in several places. I think that some high adhesion vinyl tape could be used to cover the edges in order to make it look right.

Can anyone give me any other suggestions or recommend a brand of tape?

Thank you,
Bob

Thanks to those who pm'd me on the canopy subject.

Another question...

Although my aluminum wing tube is still in excellent condition, I've been told that there is a carbon fiber tube that is superior. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thanks again,
Bob

Hi Bob

The aluminium wing spar is more than adequate for the Rookie. I have an old Kangeroo which is still going strong 5 years later(doing around 190 mph!) and one of the guys at the club has a Rookie with about 250 flights on it without any problems. No need to upgrade to C/F.

Bob, I have seen a couple of them bent. So what Ive done is take a wooden dowl threw the center with areo poxy. stiffens it right up!
Hope this helps...

Ben

I neglected to mention the reason my Rookie needs repair so here goes.

After entering the neat looking inverted flat spin at Speedworld last year, I was unable to recover from the maneuver...so on down to mother earth it did fall.

In the post crash examination, I noticed that one of the screws fastening the vectored thrust tube had backed out, probably leaving it in the down thrust position. That would explain why it wouldn't come out of the spin. Had I ascertained (which I obviously didn't) that the inability to recover was caused by constant down thrust, I would have shut down the turbine at an altitude which would have allowed me to glide to the runway.

The damage was, VERY surprisingly, not that major as most of the energy was absorbed by the vertical fins.

I have obtained new vertical fins/rudders from Comp Arf and it appears that I have made a deal for a new canopy.

On closer examination of the wing tube, though, I have discovered that there is indeed a slight bend in the tube.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks to all who have helped thus far!

Bob

It is tough to get it straight again-Try rolling it on a very strong straight surface with a flat heavy board (2x6 etc) on top of it. If you can get it straight then epoxy a wooden dowel in the center and it should be good to go. Scotty