Good Advice to All RV-12 Drivers

MartySantic · #1 12-26-2012, 07:24 PM

Just fly the airplane!! If not latched, the canopy on the RV-12 will rise about 2-3" and float there as soon as you are ready to rotate. Yep, a lot of wind and noise. It will not close until you land, but you have to FLY THE AIRPLANE and NOT get distracted. When on the numbers, before take-off, I now say out loud........Trim, flaps, canopy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjMum...eScsj1M9T6SNCc

txaviator · #2 12-26-2012, 07:27 PM

Thanks for sharing the advice, Marty!

Dave12 · #3 12-26-2012, 07:46 PM

Having experienced this 2 times, I found that if I slow down to about 50 knots, I was able to latch it. But, for most, it is probably still best to land and deal with it. It behaves just as Marty says. And yes, "Canopy latched" is part of every checklist.

Geico266 · #4 12-26-2012, 07:52 PM

Always, fly the airplane first.

DonFromTX · #5 12-26-2012, 08:30 PM

I used to forget the door latch in my Cherokee, first time I was terrified! I am wondering if it would not be a good idea for us to take off on purpose with it unlatched once, so we would be accustomed to the noise and breeze?

Catbird · #6 12-27-2012, 08:04 AM

Hey now, I like that idea (take off with the canopy intentionally unlatched to get used to the mayhem). My only concern would be whether or not an unlatched canopy might impose greater stresses on the pivot bolts, anchor hardware, and canopy frame.

Anyone?

longranger · #7 12-27-2012, 08:37 AM

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't reach up and close it during rollout in a taildragger!

RFSchaller · #8 12-27-2012, 11:10 AM

I wouldn't recommend taking off unlatched as an intentional test. While I don't think it would be a problem there is no point in creating a self-inflicted incident. In the worst case you get hurt if it causes an accident, and in the best accident scenario you end up explaining why it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Catbird · #9 12-27-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RFSchaller

I wouldn't recommend taking off unlatched as an intentional test. While I don't think it would be a problem there is no point in creating a self-inflicted incident. In the worst case you get hurt if it causes an accident, and in the best accident scenario you end up explaining why it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Agreed. I was overwhelmed by a tsumami of irrational exhuberence this morning. To much coffee.

Mark Henderson · #10 12-27-2012, 08:10 PM

I think I was the first to confess to taking off with the canopy unlatched. As Marty says, fly the airplane. It is a non issue. And yes, I have flown in a Cherokee with a door unlatched. Having experienced both, I can not think of any reason I would ever intentionally take off with either condition. But then I am one of those overly cautions people who have never taken off with insufficient fuel to reach my destination, just to see what would happen.