I've been following this Legacy canopy discussion mostly out of curiosity. When a good friend dropped in with his Legacy, I had a look at the latches. I took a photo of both the Legacy and 360 latches in the locked position for comparison. Assuming both aircraft were properly constructed and adjusted, I found the 360 latches to have a much more 'positive' engagement with the stricker. By that I mean the latches end with a much steeper and secure angle against the stricker. -see attached.
Regarding flying qualities with an open canopy, the 360 has also had greatly varied reports ranging from uncontrollable to non-event. I am curious if PIO played a roll in any of the flights that didn't end well.
Also, I like
having the ability to pull down on my canopy just prior to latching it. I realize a handle at the top of the canopy frame is not standard, but perhaps it should be.
Chris Zavatson
N91CZ
360std
On Wednesday, February 26, 2014 7:31 AM, Leighton Mangels <leighton@teleport.com> wrote:
Done right the latching mechanism on the Legacy
works very well. That said, it's important to adjust the latches so that
both sides are working equally. When setting them up I do one side at
a time by disconnecting the linkage at the crossover tube on one side and
adjusting the other side. Then reverse the process for the other
one. To check it out I put a piece of masking tape on the latch fingers on
both sides and close and latch the canopy. If both side are working
equally there will be evidence on the tape. It's possible to have it
appear that all's well when you latch the canopy but only one latch is doing all
the work. It's worth the effort to assure both sides are contributing
equally to the latching. With the canopy up and the latch lever lowered
the fingers should move down and then slightly back up when fully latched.
This assures the overcenter function is correct. By the way, Josh
Brungardt told me once that a Legacy will fly fine with the canopy open but
the problem is that distracted pilots forget the most important rule: fly
the plane, fly the plane, fly the plane!
Leighton Mangels