I appreciate the continued discussion of the Legacy Canopy issue.... some don't think it's a big deal.... others, including myself, still think it IS!!!
One poster went so far as to equate it to nothing more than forgetting to turn on your transponder after take off because it "probably happens all the time" and is an "event not worth discussing".
In that regard, could anyone come forward and state, unequivocally, that they have taken off in a Lancair Legacy (not 230/320/360) with the canopy unlatched and had it be a "non-event".... ANYONE?
Other's have said it's just a simple matter of judicious use of checklists......but this canopy issue is, IMHO, a "perfect storm". You will methodically go through your checklist in the run-up area....checking and re-checking everything (controls, fuel, trim, etc.)....all the while the canopy is cracked OPEN for ventilation. You are holding short of the runway (canopy still cracked) and then on that one fateful day you are cleared for "Immediate Takeoff".... you perhaps have a "below the line" checklist or flow pattern but you're tired or it gets rushed and you forget the canopy - LOCKED. Perhaps unlike anything else in the Legacy...there is NO going back ....no second chance to correct your mistake ..... you are along for the ride....and from everything I've read..... it's NOT going to be fun. (see below)
As Mike Larkin mentioned, the Airbus does have a fairly sophisticated takeoff warning system that backs up two well trained pilots with strict use of checklists and yet STILL monitors 5 "must have" items for takeoff, as a backup, because there is simply NO second chance with missing any those items.
I still maintain that some fairly simple backup canopy latch, like is employed on the the Vari-eze, Long-eze or Cozy might be the answer vs. a fairly complicated micro-switch or switches, tied to the canopy locking mechanism......with an audio AND visual warning that hopefully triggers when a set ground speed or airspeed is met.
If you don't think it can.... "happen to you"..... because you ALWAYS use a checklist and are a VERY good pilot with VERY disciplined procedures.....
please......think again and...... best of luck!!!
Regards,
Erik Larson
Legacy / N74FX
Many thanks Bill for sharing that first hand account of an unlatched canopy.
My comment was a reflection of what I had been told or had read somewhere previously (not from actual experience) and I am happy to be corrected, especially from those who have been there and done that.
Yes we need to carefully check the canopy is latched before takeoff. Thanks again.
Gary
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Sent from my iPad
I am sorry, Gary, but I have to disagree with that third sentence. The Legacy can NOT be flown safely with the canopy unlatched! If you take off with the canopy unlatched, you MAY survive…I did! You MAY not damage the plane…I did! Several others have not survived. It is a harrowing experience! I now check the canopy latch several times before each takeoff!
When the canopy is closed it takes a little extra force to move it up off the canopy seal, then it is easier to raise and you have the gas struts helping you. So at about 60 knots, the canopy will suddenly pop up and go all the way or nearly to the stops. This action blanks off the elevator and you lose pitch control. The canopy then is blown back down and you temporarily regain pitch control before it is sucked back up for another round. By the time it is headed back up the second time, you had better have the power off and using that short instance of pitch control to get the plane either on the ground or close enough for a hard landing. If this happened at 100 feet or so, flowers would be in order.
It is possible that you could unlatch the canopy at cruise speed and it would only open a few inches, but when you tried to land, the lack of prop blast would put you back into this regime. I don’t recommend trying any of it. Latch the damn canopy!
Bill B
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Example of other systems on other airplanes that will kill you if you don't follow some form of checklist: Leaving the fuel selector in the off position prior to takeoff or not trimming the airplane prior to takeoff. The very first airplane accident I ever witnessed was the former. The club had a rule to turn off the fuel when finished. This particular type would allow you to taxi all the way to the runway and get to about 100 feet before the engine would quit. Secondly example, If you don't put the trim in the proper place on an Airbus it will not fly, we use "checklist, bells and whistles" to prevent an error here. Bottom line, if your careless, it can kill you... Use a checklist, dummy light, warning system of some sort. You"ll live longer and be able to tell your stories over beers form many years.
Mike Larkin...
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I strongly suspect the reason we don't hear about incidents where an open canopy didn't interfere with controllability is because it's not really an event worth discussing, plus there's an element of embarrassment.
"Hey guys, I forgot to close my canopy before take-off and had to come back to land before I could finish my trip."
Don't really hear too many stories about people forgetting to turn on the transponder either.
"Hey guys, I forgot turn on the transponder before takeoff. ATC reminded me, so I turned it on."