Slider vs. tip up

[DanBaier]

Originally Posted by s10sakota

One thing that concerns me about the slider is possible damage to the fiberglass work from people getting in and out and I'm wondering if this is an issue for you sliders guys or not?

Yes...it's an issue. Brief people until you're blue and they'll still try and bend the fairing. Fiberglass tends to spring back to the correct position. Still, making the fairing from aluminum has its advantages.

That's a mod that I'm happy to have made.

Dan

[pa38112]

Get what you like best. I walk passengers through the entry/exit step by step so they put their hands where I tell them. If they reaching for something that they shouldn't then I stop them. If I know the individual is ham fisted then I am that much more controlling in telling them what to do.

[RV6_flyer]

I think someone else said it, "Get what you want."

I wanted a slider, that is what I have, I like it a lot.

I installed handles on the windshield support to keep people from grabbing the fiberglass. I made my fiberglass too thin. (2-layers) It has been bumped and cracked the paint but it is still fine but not as pretty as it could be.

IF you want a slider, I recommend handles on the windscreen roll bar and 3 or 4 layers of glass as a minimum. 1 layer of carbon fiber sandwiched between glass may be perfect.

[alpinelakespilot2000]

I have 2 layers of carbon fiber sandwiched between 2 layers of fiberglass. No troubles--it is VERY stiff.

[DaveO]

What "if" you turn the airplane on it's top, which do you think would protect you the most?

Dave

[Neal@F14]

Originally Posted by Davoakes@att.net

What "if" you turn the airplane on it's top, which do you think would protect you the most?

Dave

My personal feeling is that the slider will protect the front seat occupants' heads a slight little bit more. With either one, you're going to need a good 5-point belt harness holding you down into the seat in a flip-over. I have inertia-reels on my shoulder belts and I'm convinced they'll do absolutely diddly-squat in a flip-over.... and probably only slightly better than that in a forward level motion crash.

Either way carrying some kind of tool to bust out the canopy would be a good idea... I've been carrying this one with me lately:
http://www.estwing.com/ao_leather_sportsmans_axe.php

[Robert M]

I had a situation during my flight training where I couldn't see a runway at a class C airport AT NIGHT because of the verticle support between the doors and windscreen of the Cessna 152. If you've ever flown at night, you know how bright the runways can be. For me, visibility is a top safety issue in an aircraft. The slider puts two obstructions in your view unless you are constantly moving your head back and forth.

My two cents.

[FORANE]

OP here.
Since starting this thread I have bought a slider.
While I am accustomed to flying the bubble canopy of my Lancair, I really do not mind the visual obstructions. The fiberglass lip of the windscreen frame is fragile and does show some damage. It will likely need some additional work at some point. I like not having to worry about rain entering the hinge of a tip up.