Friday loaded up to go camping in my RV. It was over 70 degrees (hot day for Alaska). Thinking about 3-days of camping while holding short of the active after my runup. Switch freq and contact the tower letting them know, ready to go. 100lbs short of GW.
This camping trip was planned for 3-days of sun at Valdez, AK. PAVD. Rare indeed!
Loaded Odin the puppy dog up, he loves flying as a way to go camping, should see how fast he loads up, way faster than a car.
Closed the canopy after startup and the inside temp shot up above 120, open the canopy resting on the top roll bar, canopy completely open, nothing latched.
Remember to close when doing runup, was the thought process. However while taxiing a slight distraction, took place, watched the C-46 Commando take off, headed to a village loaded down with fuel.
Tower: RV9erSN cleared for takeoff Runway 31 (we are using the taxiway as a runway, while they redo the old runway).
RV9erSN: Understand cleared for takeoff 31.
The first warning was critical: The nose tried to tuck at 60 indicated, meaning the propeller did a dive for the runway! What the???????
Quick on the stick nose up, then the actual takeoff happen without hardly any control. Crosswind from the left, but not strong enough to cause this.
Then I noticed the canopy open about 5-feet in the air.
Had a canopy open above 200mph once, the writeup is here as well.
Without thinking reached up grabbed the latch and pulled it down, control restored.
Airspeed was well above 90 and climbing fast, always fly level to get best rate before climbing out. Holding the canopy semi closed (it would not pull down far enough to latch}. Throttle still set at full throttle, right hand busy holding canopy closed.
Not taking the left grip from the stick this close to the ground.
Airspeed now falling towards best angle, steep climb at full throttle, still trying to latch canopy, with a lower airspeed know it will close.
Did the right turn to crosswind still climbing to pattern altitude. Once reaching, made my call to the tower, left finger on push to talk switch, right still holding canopy closed. Explained what was going on and requested a landing. While temporary Runway in use can't do Touch and goes.
Tower asked if needed anything, by this time airspeed below 80 and a hard pull closed the top latch with a twist. Had to let go of the canopy to reduce throttle, knew in advance when the canopy was released the RV would nosedive. Expecting this to happen was a non event, when it did. With altitude, plenty of room to correct.
Canopy closed on downwind, landing normal.
Just saying on takeoff, with an open canopy some very different things are going to Warn you something is a miss. An unexpected propeller dive for the runway is a big clue, when bringing the tail up, did it over rotate? Having trouble keeping it level for take off? What's going on with the elevator? Why all this pitch stuff? Did I forget a control lock? Is the heavily loaded CG correct?
Once in the air, it will be a handful, better verify the canopy fast! Crosswind correction got forgot, so was heading right of centerline, right wing low, pitch back and forth, what's going on?
Mike
This camping trip was planned for 3-days of sun at Valdez, AK. PAVD. Rare indeed!
Loaded Odin the puppy dog up, he loves flying as a way to go camping, should see how fast he loads up, way faster than a car.
Closed the canopy after startup and the inside temp shot up above 120, open the canopy resting on the top roll bar, canopy completely open, nothing latched.
Remember to close when doing runup, was the thought process. However while taxiing a slight distraction, took place, watched the C-46 Commando take off, headed to a village loaded down with fuel.
Tower: RV9erSN cleared for takeoff Runway 31 (we are using the taxiway as a runway, while they redo the old runway).
RV9erSN: Understand cleared for takeoff 31.
The first warning was critical: The nose tried to tuck at 60 indicated, meaning the propeller did a dive for the runway! What the???????
Quick on the stick nose up, then the actual takeoff happen without hardly any control. Crosswind from the left, but not strong enough to cause this.
Then I noticed the canopy open about 5-feet in the air.
Had a canopy open above 200mph once, the writeup is here as well.
Without thinking reached up grabbed the latch and pulled it down, control restored.
Airspeed was well above 90 and climbing fast, always fly level to get best rate before climbing out. Holding the canopy semi closed (it would not pull down far enough to latch}. Throttle still set at full throttle, right hand busy holding canopy closed.
Not taking the left grip from the stick this close to the ground.
Airspeed now falling towards best angle, steep climb at full throttle, still trying to latch canopy, with a lower airspeed know it will close.
Did the right turn to crosswind still climbing to pattern altitude. Once reaching, made my call to the tower, left finger on push to talk switch, right still holding canopy closed. Explained what was going on and requested a landing. While temporary Runway in use can't do Touch and goes.
Tower asked if needed anything, by this time airspeed below 80 and a hard pull closed the top latch with a twist. Had to let go of the canopy to reduce throttle, knew in advance when the canopy was released the RV would nosedive. Expecting this to happen was a non event, when it did. With altitude, plenty of room to correct.
Canopy closed on downwind, landing normal.
Just saying on takeoff, with an open canopy some very different things are going to Warn you something is a miss. An unexpected propeller dive for the runway is a big clue, when bringing the tail up, did it over rotate? Having trouble keeping it level for take off? What's going on with the elevator? Why all this pitch stuff? Did I forget a control lock? Is the heavily loaded CG correct?
Once in the air, it will be a handful, better verify the canopy fast! Crosswind correction got forgot, so was heading right of centerline, right wing low, pitch back and forth, what's going on?
Mike
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