Further to Dan's comments, and if helpful to others:-
- I installed two micro switches in series. One on the internal latch handle, and one on the cockpit opening joggle. Thus, the canopy must be properly seated (I have the micro switch adjusted to within ~1mm) AND the internal handle must be in the closed position before the alarm is cleared.
- Whilst this alarm shows up on my general annunciator panel, its not easy to see when the cockpit is flooded with sunlight; there is presently no aural alarm. I'm now working on feeding the alarm into the EFIS with a large visual screen message accompanied with an aural alarm; will may be try linking to engine rpm (something like if rpm >1500, then…)
I have had similar ideas to your's Bill around using an inertia reel seat belt attached to top of canopy and anchored behind seats. If one puts appropriate anchors within the canopy frame during the build, that's one thing – but with a finished aircraft… not quite so easy. Did you figure out a way to effectively "retro fit" a solid anchor to the canopy?
VH-XTZ
John N G Smith
Tel / fax: +61-8-9385-8891
Mobile: +61-409-372-975
Email: john@jjts.net.au