I’ve looked through a number of older threads about issues related to the possibility of emergency jetisoning the canopy. I’m about to embark on an extended series of aerobatic training flights in my tilt-up 7A so I’m pondering a few questions. As far as I can tell, there are no documented instances of intentional bail-out from an RV tilt-up. Since I’ll have the chutes anyway, might it make sense to wear them routinely?
One post brought up possible complications caused by cables from GPS antennae and other devices mounted on the glare-shield, but I’ve not seen much about the gas springs, or actual recommended proceedures for jettisoning the canopy in various scenarios.
Obviously, if the aircraft is flying straight ahead at high velocity, just pulling the handle will do the trick, and all attacments will instantly be torn free. The more likely scenario would follow a collision or structural failure, in which case the aircraft may be tumbling or falling in some odd attitude at the decision point. It is probably impossible to come up with a good, simple procedure that will cover all possibilities.
With substantial forward velocity, I’d be inclined to release the main latch but leave the center latch engaged before pulling the handle, hoping the canopy would pop off with a clean backflip that would prevent it from striking occupants. Other scenarios are probably going to require some quick thinking during a very stressful moment.
I’m also thinking about making two minor changes designed to improve the odds of success, and would appreciate reactions, questions, and insights from the “VAF Mindspring”
First, I plan to install junctions modified for easy breakaway or some sort of hidden cutter that would sever any electric cables passing through the glareshield.
Second, since the gas springs always load their end supports in compression, I’m planning to partially sever all four of the end-mount threaded shafts near their bases and orient them so that the cut is pointing away from the gas spring at both ends. That would make them more prone to break away if the spring is abruptly placed in tension(but not so weak that a gust from behind with canopy open on the ground might break them).
Thoughts?
Later edit- The solution I finally devised is describedin another new thread I started that can be found here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...22#post1287422
Tilt-up Canopy Jettison Question-
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