RV 7 Safety

Robb · #1 09-16-2017, 05:08 PM

I am a 15 year Husky pilot and bought my 7 a few years ago. I have had ZERO issues with it and its nice to have a bush plane and a traveling machine. The issue I have is I am used to the safety of my Husky and just feel more comfortable in it. I live in the mountains where an engine failure would be to say the least " interesting " in my RV compared to my Husky. Are most of the guys carrying some sort of hatchet to break the canopy as an escape route? I never really worried about mu Husky as it gas a tubular canopy over head. Just wondering what everyone else has done. What is the general opinion on the safety factor of these planes as far as structural integrity?

ChuckGant · #2 09-16-2017, 08:53 PM

This is what I have:

https://www.amazon.com/Lifehammer-LH.../dp/B000BN3A4Y

Check out this video:
https://youtu.be/fRvQxGl4kt4

Infidel · #3 09-16-2017, 11:23 PM

I would say structural integrity is dependent on the the impact and pilotage.

For a cheap canopy cracker, get a small ball Peen hammer from Harbor Freight and grind a pointed cone on one end and shorten the handle if needed for space restrictions. Should do the job. 👍🏻

Terry Lutz · #4 09-17-2017, 10:32 AM

The Lifehammer obviously does the job. There are several such hammers on the market. One thing they lack is a loop down the shaft which acts as a guard to protect your fingers. You will typically find this type of breaker on buses and trains in Europe. We used a canopy breaker tool in military aircraft, and instead of swinging it like a hammer, we were trained to put our other hand on the bottom and use both hands to thrust up to the canopy. The blade on top was curved, and you always wanted the blade toward you so that a glancing blow would travel away from your head instead of toward it! I have a fuel sampling tube attached to the back of the front seat of my RV-8. It has a straight blade screwdriver head at the bottom. Held with two hands, it can also serve as a canopy breaker tool, and I brief passengers on how to use it.

Sam Buchanan · #5 09-17-2017, 11:12 AM

I brief my passengers to use the passenger control stick as a canopy breaker. Hope I never need to test its effectiveness.

rvbuilder2002 · #6 09-17-2017, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan

I brief my passengers to use the passenger control stick as a canopy breaker. Hope I never need to test its effectiveness.

I do the same. (I have the bottom end of the tube cut to a tapered point.)

Pat Stewart · #7 09-17-2017, 01:09 PM

I have the same hammer and I have also thought if required I could also use the fire extinguisher.

ArVeeNiner · #8 09-17-2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan

I brief my passengers to use the passenger control stick as a canopy breaker. Hope I never need to test its effectiveness.

Now that's a great idea. I'm going to start doing that too.

Ironflight · #9 09-17-2017, 04:06 PM

Not to be a buzz-killer....but for those planning on using the sharpened end of the passenger stick as a canopy breaker, do you have a set of wrenches taped to the stick to remove the nut and bolt specified by Service Bulletin 07-2-6 (which wants you to fasten the stick so it can't be accidentally pulled out by someone flying from the right seat)?

rzbill · #10 09-17-2017, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Not to be a buzz-killer....but for those planning on using the sharpened end of the passenger stick as a canopy breaker, do you have a set of wrenches taped to the stick to remove the nut and bolt specified by Service Bulletin 07-2-6 (which wants you to fasten the stick so it can't be accidentally pulled out by someone flying from the right seat)?

Is there anybody that actually paid attention to that SB? Bolts? Really?

A McMaster Carr spring button is just as secure and needs no tools.