How many of you would

[ApachePilotUK]

How many of you would buy a canopy that isnt exactly amazing for visibility at great heights but looks F**king awesome on the heli, Reason im asking is i have just got a 1000 stencils some are from films some are from video games but all are top quality, theres an awesome Jurassic park one which look fantastic and im tempted to paint a canopy 2 shades of red and put the dinosaur logo on in black,

are your canopies about dressing up your heli and make it look sexy or rather something you paint bright yellow for visibility..?

reason i ask is im starting to think about renting a small unit on an industrial estate near me and doing canopies for a living, but i need to know more about what the comunity wants??

[Sao]

Personally no. I wouldn't buy one to just look at on a shelf I'd rather spend the money on more fuel/batteries.

[ApachePilotUK]

im not on about buying an expensive im asking if you guys prefer canopies for visibility or ones that have nice designs etc on them

[AndersUK]

I prefer canopies that are designed for increased visibility but then thats because I need all the help I can get with my flying

[Sao]

im not on about buying an expensive im asking if you guys prefer canopies for visibility or ones that have nice designs etc on them

Ok.

Personally no. I wouldn't buy one to just look at on a shelf

[moyesboy]

If I needed a new canopy and there was a better looking one for the same price I'd by the better looking one.
I wouldn't pay extra for a fancy looking canopy.
But my helis are not hanger queens, so I'm not your market.


I also don't think any bright colours help much with orientation, its a sort of beginner myth that. They might if you only flew when it was sunny. But if you only fly in the sunshine you will never get to be a very good pilot anyway. Up in the sky the heli is mostly a dark outline

[Mikee]

mmmmm Guess I would buy one.. being a novice the heli is'nt that far away still....... and I love bling........I think of it as heli art

[ApachePilotUK]

mmmmm Guess I would buy one.. being a novice the heli is'nt that far away still....... and I love bling........I think of it as heli art

So you would prefer a detailed canopy as opose to one painted brightly for visibility

[Disc]

Enough companies already do some stunning canopies.


like these: http://www.arizonaheli.com/

and these are stunning: http://www.arizonaheli.com/fire_canopies.htm

[ApachePilotUK]

Enough companies already do some stunning canopies.


like these: http://www.arizonaheli.com/

and these are stunning: http://www.arizonaheli.com/fire_canopies.htm

these are all fine and well if you want to pay silly ammounts of money for one and you like a design provided , im talking about a cheaper more personal canopy , names painted on , custom designs like what im doing for stu

[richieclarkie]

I'm sure they'll be a market for it. There are plenty of people out there that park their helis in front of their cars want nice looking canopies and only ever hover when they do fly. Blingin' their heli is all part of the experience.

However painting "useable" canopies seems to be more sensible to me as the market may be bigger. The main thing you need is some well photographed examples and to build up personal recommendations - i.s. from people like Stuart etc.

Godd luck mate

[Brewber]

Visibility is an interesting topic. Did anyone notice when the RAF "training" colour scheme went from white base coat & red "flashes" (wing tips, nose & tail) to just plain gloss black? The purpose of that was to make it more visible in all conditions, it being a stark black shape.

I presume the same logic should apply to canopies (i.e. black would be more effective than other brighter colours)?

[ApachePilotUK]

I'm sure they'll be a market for it. There are plenty of people out there that park their helis in front of their cars want nice looking canopies and only ever hover when they do fly. Blingin' their heli is all part of the experience.

However painting "useable" canopies seems to be more sensible to me as the market may be bigger. The main thing you need is some well photographed examples and to build up personal recommendations - i.s. from people like Stuart etc.

Godd luck mate

i have 2 canopies in progress and 1 finished and winging its way back to the owner as we type. his is custom to his own design so "blinging it" yet with sensible visible colours too , a variety of the 2,

i think when it comes down to the decision ill probably chose to do both styles of painting ,

theres also the issue of people who like to use vinyls , vinyls are fuel proof but the glue is not. after a while the vinyls start to float around and eventually fall off , i will also offer a lacquering service for people who just want the vinyls , this will protect them from any fuel film

[Mikee]

So you would prefer a detailed canopy as opose to one painted brightly for visibility

detailed and bright is good to see.. I fly with this canopy at the moment.. but I have six other canopies that i can choose from for my 600n


http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/hn60...py-p-2619.html


I like lumo colours on canopies .. but respect the art of a quality airbrushed one as well.. and would not think twice about spending a 100 quid it if was to my liking.... It's only money after all

And Im told you can't take it with you.....

[ApachePilotUK]

detailed and bright is good to see.. I fly with this canopy at the moment.. but I have six other canopies that i can choose from for my 600n


http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/hn60...py-p-2619.html


I like lumo colours on canopies .. but respect the art of a quality airbrushed one as well.. and would not think twice about spending a 100 quid it if was to my liking.... It's only money after all

And Im told you can't take it with you.....

if i do get the unit the rent for it is £98 weekly , its around the size of a large living room , around 12metres x 12 metres , this includes water rates and taxes so only gas and electric to add to it.

with this sort of price and a decent mixing scheme im guessing i can get prices to as low as around £50 if the customer supplies the canopy of course this is just figurativly speaking , this all dependes on

A ) how long the canopy takes , how intricate the design is,

B ) what colours are involved, Kameleon colours by HOK are a hell of alot more expensive than your standard metallics.

C ) What size the canopy is , a .30 is going to be cheaper than a .90 to paint , obviously.

I agree its only money and cant be taken with you but i also want my customers to feel a sence of value for money and not a feeling of day-light robbery.