Sometimes safety is about picking lessor evils
Steve, if you read the Lancair thread you saw my post about departing S-N-F with the canopy in the taxi position.
You might as well just remove the safety latch if you wish to continue your present line of reasoning.........
I feel certain the reason for the safety latch is to prevent the canopy from popping open several inches inflight if for some reason the primary latch failed or was disengaged. Even though the plane is controllable, a suddenly open canopy might very well scare the living daylights out of someone who wasn't expecting such an event. The danger lies in a distracted pilot having to deal with an event that the safety latch could have prevented.
I've never heard of a tipup pilot who doesn't routinely check to make sure the safety latch is engaged prior to flight. Don't worry.....if emergency personnel need to get into your plane, they will get into the plane. No time will be wasted fiddling with latches.......a latch is no match for a crash ax hitting the canopy!
Understood. Its a relief to hear the RV remains controllable if the canopy opens! On the other hand, the fact that it is controllable makes the safety latch a decision rather than mandatory.
Its about what thing is more likely to happen or too kill you if it does. The seatbelt which keeps you from being killed on impact may trap you in the vehicle in the event of fire. One is more likely to be killed with impact without a seatbelt rather than by being then trapped during a fire with a seatbelt, so wearing one is safest.
By the way, I'm thinking in terms of the average person trying to get us out without a fire suit or an ax.
Sounds like its a trade between the danger of entrapment after an accident and the danger of pilot distraction in flight.
Like most pilots I've had doors open in flight. The first was during my first solo flight in a C152. My instructor had already programed me to ignore an open door in flight and take care of it on the ground. No big deal, but I get the impression that an RV canopy opening 6"-to-8" in flight is a bit more intimidating.
What I know from reading accident reports and from having it pounded home by that same primary instructor, is that it is not the distraction of the open door that kills pilots, its the distraction of trying to close the door.
Also, I'm wondering what pushes it open against the air steam. I wonder if the cabin air vents were closed if the canopy would settle some or all the way???????? I wonder if the reason it opens at all is because of the high angle of attack during takeoff. Would it stay closed completely at cruise speed??????
Its also not just what, but when. Up till now I only use the safety latch when we are going to unbuckle to pee at altitude. Risk of entrapment - nil, consequence of open & subsequent torn off canopy - death. Its an easy choice.
Dealing with an open canopy after takeoff on a VFR day is way different that having it pop open during an instrument approach to minimums and having your plates sucked out the gap. So, my conclusion might be to expand the times when I have it latched, but not necessarily as wide as for all flying.
Anyway, I'm definitely rethinking my reasoning on this subject - so all the inputs and experiences are appreciated. Hopefully the thread will benefit others as well.
