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  #31  
Old 07-04-2014, 12:47 PM
jimbower jimbower is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 162
Default

I forgot to latch my tip-up on the very first flight in my -6A after transition training (flight advisor made the first flight). Flew the pattern, landed, and shut it. I also need to rig up an audible indication of it not being latched.
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  #32  
Old 07-04-2014, 02:43 PM
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RV6_OKLA RV6_OKLA is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Yukon Ok
Posts: 106
Default Tip-Up

I have failed to latch my RV6 tip-up a couple of times. You know it immediately because of the rushing air and the louder engine sound. It raises 2-3 inches and bobs up and down. I keep my speed around 90mph, reach up and pull it down and turn the upper latch to secure it while I come around and land. I have not been able to lock it in flight with the side latch. It's on my checklist twice now!
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Jerry Calvert
Yukon Ok
RV6 N296JC
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  #33  
Old 07-04-2014, 05:41 PM
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Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,932
Default

I forgot the main canopy latch on takeoff one hot day... For some reason I just did the top latch, I must have been distracted during my post-runup checks. Didn't notice anything different until about half an hour into the flight when I realized the canopy wasn't sitting on the rail where it usually sat, but had flexed about 1/2" up. Of course, I was half-way across a large body of water at the time. :P

I slowed down and was able to get the canopy down and partially latched with a bit of G applied. I couldn't get the latch to completely lock, but it did hold the canopy down until I landed half an hour later (I was half-way between airports). Good to know that the top latch is enough to keep things together if needed.
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Rob Prior
1996 RV-6 "Tweety" C-FRBP (formerly N196RV)
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  #34  
Old 07-05-2014, 12:38 AM
Jim F Jim F is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Canby OR
Posts: 119
Default Canopy surprise

I forgot to latch the slider canopy on my 9A and the first indication that something was
Wrong was whoosh at rotation
The slip stream had pushed the canopy forward and closed, tho the pins at the rear corners missed the blocks so the canopy was askew.

I climbed to pattern alt and assessed the situation, then returned to land
After shut down I carefully went over the canopy and mechanisms but found no damage
Like Ted said CHECKLIST CHECKLIST CHECKLIST !
Jim Frisbie
RV-9A
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  #35  
Old 07-05-2014, 01:22 AM
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skylor skylor is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 882
Default -8 Canopy Unlatched for Takeoff

About a year ago on a fairly warm and humid day I was holding short in my -8 ready to go with the canopy closed and latched. When it appeared that the controller trainee in my home field tower wasn't going to clear me too quickly for takeoff (and after holding for a few minutes) I unlatched the canopy and started to roll it back for some fresh air. Just then the instructor controller cleared me for takeoff. As I pushed in the power and started accelerating down the runway, my peripheral vision caught the canopy starting to roll back very rapidly. Instinctively, I reached up and grabbed the latch handle with my left hand. Of course, at that point, the only way I could abort the takeoff would be to let go of the handle so that I could get my hand back on the throttle! I opted to continue the takeoff and shoved the canopy back closed the best I could and was just barely able to "hook" the latch. Once safely in stabilized the climb, I shoved the canopy frame forward as much as possible and got the latch into the locked position but the rear part of the skirt wasn't quite pulled all the way down. I continued the flight uneventfully. I'm pretty sure that if I hadn't grabbed the canopy when it first moved, it would have slammed all the way open before there was enough air flow to hold it partially closed. Of course, by grabbing it, I was committed to the takeoff, which could have been a bad thing...but it was instinct that caused me to do so, not rational decision making...


Skylor
RV-8
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  #36  
Old 07-05-2014, 06:31 AM
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Christer Christer is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Webster, MN
Posts: 94
Default Improved ventilation

There was a very controlled test of the RV-8 done a while ago on flying with the canopy partially open. Seems there was no adverse effects. If you do a search for "improved ventilation" you will find the thread.
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Christer
Director of Maintenance, SteinAir Inc.
RV-8 Completed
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  #37  
Old 07-05-2014, 06:35 AM
sailvi767 sailvi767 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 1,167
Default

We broke our pre takeoff checklist into two parts. The second section is canopy closed and locked and mixture rich, strobes on. Some call it a final items checklist. There are those who have and those who will with the canopy. Not a big deal as long as you fly the airplane first.

George
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  #38  
Old 07-05-2014, 08:39 AM
Fastwind67 Fastwind67 is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Springfield
Posts: 42
Default Tip Over Canopy

As common as taking off with the canopy unlatched seems to be it makes me wonder how there have not been more incidents with the side tipping canopies such as on the -4

In the couple cases I've heard of the canopy opens and departs. Has anyone heard of a "successful outcome" to an unlatched canopy?
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  #39  
Old 07-05-2014, 10:43 AM
OLDSAM OLDSAM is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tucker GA
Posts: 190
Default This is not unheard of

While s l o w l y building my 7A, I have a Grumman AA5B Tiger, which has a sliding canopy similar in configuration to the RV sliders. As a FWIW, it is placarded for flight below 130 mph with the canopy back to a mark on the rail which is about 4" or so from the back edge of the windshield. I have opened it to this mark in flight for photography & such, then reclosed it in flight without difficulty. There was/is surprisingly little airflow into the cabin from the opening, there seems to be a laminar flow that continues across the gap. I have verified this by poking a finger out through the gap, it is like hitting an invisible wall.
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OldSam
RV7A, Empennage, Wings & Tanks complete
Fuse under way
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  #40  
Old 07-06-2014, 11:27 AM
Marvin Marvin is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Willits,Ca
Posts: 60
Default Canopy in flight

When you rush you always forget something. With the canopy unlatched and open about an inch , I was able to close it and latch it in flight. Another stupid mistake was taking off with full flaps and a passenger in the back seat. I don't recommend it but the RV8A climbs faster but doesn't pick up much speed.

Dick
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