Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Trick to opening canopy in flight?

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Trick to opening canopy in flight?

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> TeamGrumman-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

bkspero(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 7:49 pm Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

I tried for the first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.  

I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy. 

Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.  

Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed. 

What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?  

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Barry S(2)  [quote][b]

teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:41 pm Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

Barry, 

I think everyone tries to open their canopy in flight sooner or later.  You really do have to pull hard on the handle. It won't open easily. Once you get it open even a quarter of an inch, it'll open easier. 

A long time ago,l in land far, far, away, I opened the canopy of my Cheetah far enough to lean out to take pictures. Worked ok for a while. Then, I got a little behind the power curve and drag build up was hard and fast. It felt like I was going to fall out of the air.  I had about 1500 feet AGL and had enough time or forethought to push the nose over and dive at the ground to gain airspeed.  Once heading downhill, I was able to grab the canopy and pull it shut. At about 10 inches from being closed it was like it snapped out of my hand and slammed shut. That was the last time I opens my canopy beyond just an inch or two. 

One note of caution: it gets damn windy with the canopy open. 



Gary

Sent from my iPad



On May 12, 2012, at 8:48 PM, barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)> wrote:



[quote]

I tried for the first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.  

I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy. 

Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.  

Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed. 

What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?  

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Barry S(2)   	  Quote: 	
		  



===================================

t">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

===================================

cs.com

===================================

matronics.com/contribution

===================================



	
   

[b]

jetinc(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:45 pm Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

What he said....

From: "Gary L Vogt" <teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com>

To: teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 10:40:47 PM

Subject: Re: TeamGrumman-List: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

Barry, 

I think everyone tries to open their canopy in flight sooner or later.  You really do have to pull hard on the handle. It won't open easily. Once you get it open even a quarter of an inch, it'll open easier. 

A long time ago,l in land far, far, away, I opened the canopy of my Cheetah far enough to lean out to take pictures. Worked ok for a while. Then, I got a little behind the power curve and drag build up was hard and fast. It felt like I was going to fall out of the air.  I had about 1500 feet AGL and had enough time or forethought to push the nose over and dive at the ground to gain airspeed.  Once heading downhill, I was able to grab the canopy and pull it shut. At about 10 inches from being closed it was like it snapped out of my hand and slammed shut. That was the last time I opens my canopy beyond just an inch or two. 

One note of caution: it gets damn windy with the canopy open. 

Gary

Sent from my iPad

On May 12, 2012, at 8:48 PM, barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

[quote]

I tried for the first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.  

I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy. 

Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.  

Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed. 

What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?  

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Barry S(2)   	  Quote: 	

==========

t">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

==========

cs.com

==========

matronics.com/contribution

==========

st" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

[b]

BARRY CHECK 6

Joined: 15 Mar 2011
Posts: 738

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:09 am Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

Hello Barry 



Well you are 100% correct.... You ARE pulling against a partial vacuum and that is why it is difficult to open.  [IFR side note: If you open your Alt Air Valve you will see an INSTANT increase in altitude.  That is because of the partial vacuum in the cockpit.]  Keeping the canopy open is also a a bit tricky.  One trick that many do/have is a 1" ID piece of PVC tubing with about 1/3 of the wall removed for the entire length, forming a 'C'...  Length... The distance from the front window bow to the placard arrow that is on the inside railing.  Then you slip this PVC over the rail to keep the canopy open to that dimension. 

 You DO NOT want to go beyond that distance because the forces reverse direction.  They will force the canopy all the way back.  Not Good.  They will rip the canopy out of your hands.

The why of your sliding difficulty could be - Insufficient lubrication on the canopy rails.  A simple check for both lubrication and quality of your rails is during pre-flight try to slide the canopy open from one side near the bottom rail.  If it slides lubrication is good, if it twists, then rails could be misaligned or worn or both. 

 



Barry

"Chop'd Liver"

On Sat, May 12, 2012 at 11:48 PM, barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 [quote]

I tried for the first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.   

I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy. 

Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.   

Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed. 

What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?   

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Barry S(2)   	  Quote: 	
		  



st" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
[b]

n26780(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:22 am Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

NO trickâ€¦just pull hard.Â  I have flown my Cheetah in Florida with the canopy pulled back about 6-8 inches for over 20 years.Â  I even made some air scoops out of home shop vac attachments by adding a clip to it so that I can attach the scoop to the canopy bow.Â  The high speed air is diverted into the cockpit and it keeps us cool.Â  On takeoff I have the scoops already mounted and slide the canopy forward until it makes contact with the scoops.Â  No problems.

 

At cruise speed the airflow will pull the canopy towards the canopy bow and it takes a little extra muscle to overcome the initial force to open the canopy.

 

  [quote][b]

teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:36 am Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

Barry,

It's a common misconception that you'll be able to open the canopy and prop something in there.  Some propose making little half tubes from PVC and when there is an emergency, open the canopy, place the tube over the rail, close the canopy, and THEN when you crash, just open the canopy and get out.  

Forget all that bullshit.  Don't even carry a fire extinguisher.  If and when you have an emergency, fly the plane all the way to the crash site. Period.  You'll never have enough time to do anything else.  Ask me how I know.  

A fire extinguisher will only fill the cabin with fumes that will kill you.  Opening the canopy adds oxygen to  the fire.  Get the plane on the ground as quickly as possible.  

If your engine quits over the Hudson, get as close to land as possible.  Odds are the plane will flip over.  Unless you pull up at the last minute and let the plane fall out of the sky in a full stall.  Trust me, unless you are practicing in a simulator, the best you can do is the best you can do.  

Do you really think you'll waste 30 seconds trying to open your canopy an NOT keep flying the plane?

Gary

        From: barry  speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com>

 To: teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com 

 Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2012 5:46 AM

 Subject: Re: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

  

 

 Sounds good.  Just need to muscle up more and there is no unusual danger of damaging the canopy seal.

 Presume slower is easier than faster?

 Beyond comfort, my interest in this is because I've been reading up on emergency procedures; particularly ditching.  The most popular local sightseeing flight is the Hudson River corridor and if the engine quits along there at <=1500ft, there is nowhere to land but the river.  Having the canopy open and wedging something into the gap so it doesn't slam shut on impact seems like an important part of the process.  So next time I'll go out and try it at best glide speed so I know how to do it there.

  Thanks, again.

 Barry S(2)

   	  Quote: 	
		  -===================================


	


 

 

  

 [quote][b]

teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:42 am Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

Like I said.  Lots of bad advice out there.  

DO NOT STOP FLYING THE PLANE.  

DO NOT TAKE TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO DO ANYTHING ELSE.  

FLYING YOUR PLANE NEEDS THE UTMOST ATTENTION.

CONCENTRATE ON FINDING A GOOD CRASH SITE. 

FLY THE PLANE TO THAT LOCATION.

Some people say to carry an ax in the plane.  First of all, in a crash, you don't want anything loose in the cabin that is heavy enough to break plexiglass.  Unless you fabricate a holder for your side panel next to your seat, you'll never be able to get to it once it's buried under the rudder  pedals.

DO NOT STOP FLYING THE PLANE UNTIL IT'S EITHER IN THE TIE DOWN OR STOPS MOVING AFTER A CRASH.

        From: FLYaDIVE <flyadive(at)gmail.com>

 To: teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com 

 Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2012 7:09 AM

 Subject: Re: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

  

 

 Hello Barry 



Well you are 100% correct.... You ARE pulling against a partial vacuum and that is why it is difficult to open.  [IFR side note: If you open your Alt Air Valve you will see an INSTANT increase in altitude.  That is because of the partial vacuum in the cockpit.]  Keeping the canopy open is also a a bit tricky.  One trick that many do/have is a 1" ID piece of PVC tubing with about 1/3 of the wall removed for the entire length, forming a 'C'...  Length... The distance from the front window bow to the placard arrow that is on the inside railing.  Then you slip this PVC over the rail to keep the canopy open to that dimension. 

 You DO NOT want to go beyond that distance because the forces reverse direction.  They will force the canopy all the way back.  Not Good.  They will rip the canopy out of your hands.

The why of your sliding difficulty could be - Insufficient lubrication on the canopy rails.  A simple check for both lubrication and quality of your rails is during pre-flight try to slide the canopy open from one side near the bottom rail.  If it slides lubrication is good, if it twists, then rails could be misaligned or worn or both. 

 



Barry

"Chop'd Liver"

On Sat, May 12, 2012 at 11:48 PM, barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  I tried for the first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.

   I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy.

 Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.

   Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed.

 What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?

   Thanks in advance for your help.

 Barry S(2)

   	  Quote: 	
		  


st" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution


	
http://www.matronics.com/===


	


 

 

  

 [quote][b]

BARRY CHECK 6

Joined: 15 Mar 2011
Posts: 738

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:58 am Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

You are correct Gary:



Unless one practices the grab & block maneuver over and over it is not one of their quiver of arrow tricks and would never come into play as an emergency action.   



 

30 seconds!  Wow, that is slow!

Barry

"Chop'd Liver"

Emergency procedure:  Open canopy - Bend over - Kiss you sweet ass good by.

OR do it right the first time.

 

On Sun, May 13, 2012 at 12:36 PM, Gary Vogt <teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com (teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:

[quote] Barry,

It's a common misconception that you'll be able to open the canopy and prop something in there.  Some propose making little half tubes from PVC and when there is an emergency, open the canopy, place the tube over the rail, close the canopy, and THEN when you crash, just open the canopy and get out.  

 



Forget all that bullshit.  Don't even carry a fire extinguisher.  If and when you have an emergency, fly the plane all the way to the crash site. Period.  You'll never have enough time to do anything else.  Ask me how I know.  

 



A fire extinguisher will only fill the cabin with fumes that will kill you.  Opening the canopy adds oxygen to  the fire.  Get the plane on the ground as quickly as possible.  

If your engine quits over the Hudson, get as close to land as possible.  Odds are the plane will flip over.  Unless you pull up at the last minute and let the plane fall out of the sky in a full stall.  Trust me, unless you are practicing in a simulator, the best you can do is the best you can do.  

 



Do you really think you'll waste 30 seconds trying to open your canopy an NOT keep flying the plane?

Gary



 

         From: barry  speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)>

 To: teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com (teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com) 

  Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2012 5:46 AM

 Subject: Re: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

 

  

 

 Sounds good.  Just need to muscle up more and there is no unusual danger of damaging the canopy seal.

 Presume slower is easier than faster?

 Beyond comfort, my interest in this is because I've been reading up on emergency procedures; particularly ditching.  The most popular local sightseeing flight is the Hudson River corridor and if the engine quits along there at <=1500ft, there is nowhere to land but the river.  Having the canopy open and wedging something into the gap so it doesn't slam shut on impact seems like an important part of the process.  So next time I'll go out and try it at best glide speed so I know how to do it there.

   Thanks, again.

 Barry S(2)

  

 	  Quote: 	
		  -==========



	


 

 

  

  	  Quote: 	
		  



st" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	




[b]

robsherwin(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 1:23 pm Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

You are right Gary, as pilot, fly the plane.  Of course, if you have a passenger, it gives them something to do.  It's part of my pre-flight briefing (in case of an off-airport "landing" you have just one job to do).  Then I don't have to worry about it.

    

   Rob Sherwin

 

 

 

   --

bkspero(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 3:00 pm Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

Tried it again, and it worked fine.  Pulled the power, trimmed to best glide, and pulled open the canopy.  Easy at the slower speed. 

I get the guidance to first fly the plane, then find the best (least bad) site to put down the plane, then land it as well as possible.  But I also think with the right preparation we should be able to get the canopy propped open as well.  From 1500 ft we'd have about 90 seconds best case.  Figure 60 seconds real life.  I intend to preselect landing locations along the river ahead of time.  Except for the golf course in Jersey City, I expect the only options will be in the River...but I'll know that ahead of time for every spot along the route.  

So I think that there should be time.  I'LL make it part of my practice routine and see. 

Thanks for the help, 

Barry S(2)  [quote][b]

guy4sky(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 8:58 am Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

When my wife had about 65 hours, we took a Tiger from California to the east coast and back.   Over the Grand Canyon, we were throttling back and opening the canopy for most of our photo shots.  We would both pull together. The next morning, my arm was sore from doing that so many times.

If you ever want to open the canopy beyond the limit marked on the rails (few inches), you need to really hold onto it -- once it gets back a bit more, the airstream really catches it and will slam it back it you don't ease it back.    In that position, any thing loose (paper, other light objects) will blow out.



Not necessarily recommended, but there have been lots of skydives made out of Cheetahs and Tigers.



--- On Sat, 5/12/12, barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

From: barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com>

Subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

To: "teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com" <teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com>

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8:48 PM

I tried for the first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.  

I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy. 

Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.  

Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed. 

What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?  

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Barry S(2)   	  Quote: 	
		  http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Tea_blank" href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com 	


	
 [quote][b]

teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 9:10 pm Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

I have a closeup 8x10 of Herse Castle swimming pool from about 300 AGL, canopy open. I was young and fearless back then. 



Gary

Sent from my iPad



On May 19, 2012, at 9:57 AM, Davie Alison <guy4sky(at)yahoo.com (guy4sky(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:



[quote]

When my wife had about 65 hours, we took a Tiger from California to the east coast and back.   Over the Grand Canyon, we were throttling back and opening the canopy for most of our photo shots.  We would both pull together. The next morning, my arm was sore from doing that so many times.

If you ever want to open the canopy beyond the limit marked on the rails (few inches), you need to really hold onto it -- once it gets back a bit more, the airstream really catches it and will slam it back it you don't ease it back.    In that position, any thing loose (paper, other light objects) will blow out.



Not necessarily recommended, but there have been lots of skydives made out of Cheetahs and Tigers.



--- On Sat, 5/12/12, barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

From: barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)>

Subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

To: "teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com (teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com)" <teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com (teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com)>

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8:48 PM

I tried for the first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.  

I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy. 

Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.  

Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed. 

What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?  

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Barry S(2)   	  Quote: 	
		  http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Tea_blank" href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


	


[b]

jetinc(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 9:43 pm Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

how about under the golden gate at night? not be but a friend flew a cheetah under it.  what was he thinking, just image a cable hanging down as they're constantly painting that thing.

From: "Gary L Vogt" <teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com>

To: teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 10:09:44 PM

Subject: Re: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

I have a closeup 8x10 of Herse Castle swimming pool from about 300 AGL, canopy open. I was young and fearless back then. 

Gary

Sent from my iPad

On May 19, 2012, at 9:57 AM, Davie Alison <guy4sky(at)yahoo.com (guy4sky(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:

[quote]

When my wife had about 65 hours, we took a Tiger from California to the east coast and back.   Over the Grand Canyon, we were throttling back and opening the canopy for most of our photo shots.  We would both pull together. The next morning, my arm was sore from doing that so many times.

If you ever want to open the canopy beyond the limit marked on the rails (few inches), you need to really hold onto it -- once it gets back a bit more, the airstream really catches it and will slam it back it you don't ease it back.    In that position, any thing loose (paper, other light objects) will blow out.

Not necessarily recommended, but there have been lots of skydives made out of Cheetahs and Tigers.

--- On Sat, 5/12/12, barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

From: barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)>

Subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

To: "teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com (teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com)" <teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com (teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com)>

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8:48 PM

I tried for the first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.  

I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy. 

Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.  

Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed. 

What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?  

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Barry S(2)   	  Quote: 	
		  http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Tea_blank" href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

st" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

[b]

teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 9:09 am Post subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

I came very close to flying under the bridge on Lake Shasta.  Chickened out.

        From: "jetinc(at)comcast.net" <jetinc(at)comcast.net>

 To: teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com 

 Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 10:43 PM

 Subject: Re: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

 #yiv1348185769 p {margin:0;}how about under the golden gate at night? not be but a friend flew a cheetah under it.  what was he thinking, just image a cable hanging down as they're constantly painting that thing.

From: "Gary L Vogt" <teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com>

To: teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 10:09:44 PM

Subject: Re: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

I have a closeup 8x10 of Herse Castle swimming pool from about 300 AGL, canopy open. I was young and fearless back then. 

Gary

Sent from my iPad

On May 19, 2012, at 9:57 AM, Davie Alison <guy4sky(at)yahoo.com (guy4sky(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

When my wife had about 65 hours, we took a Tiger from California to the east coast and back.   Over the Grand Canyon, we were throttling back and opening the canopy for most of our photo shots.  We would both pull together. The next morning, my arm was sore from doing that so many times.

If you ever want to open the canopy beyond the limit marked on the rails (few inches), you need to really hold onto it -- once it gets back a bit more, the airstream really catches it and will slam it back it you don't ease it back.    In that position, any thing loose (paper, other light objects) will blow out.

Not necessarily recommended, but there have been lots of skydives made out of Cheetahs and  Tigers.

--- On Sat, 5/12/12, barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

From: barry speronello <bkspero(at)gmail.com (bkspero(at)gmail.com)>

Subject: Trick to opening canopy in flight?

To: "teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com (teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com)" <teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com (teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com)>

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8:48 PM

I tried for the  first time today to open my Tiger's canopy in flight.  IAS about 100 kts.  Pulled back on the latch, and nothing.  Reached up for a better grip and it moved some, but did not open.  Tried a third time with two hands and it felt like the front seal was stretching flightly, but it would not separate.  It was like I was trying to open it against a vacuum and as long as no air leaked in, the canopy wouldn't slide back.

  I stopped at that point, as I was concerned that pulling harder might tear the relatively soft seal on the front face of the canopy.

 Other information.  I am sure the latch was unhooked...it holds my canopy solidly forward and on my second and third tries the canopy moved to the extent that the seal stretched.  Movement like that does not happen with the latch closed.

  Both air vents were full open and blowing lots of air into the cabin.  Hot air was closed.

 What am I missing?  Is there a trick to getting it open in flight?  During one of my training flights in a rental Tiger the instructor opened the canopy with little effort.  That was in the autumn, though, so the vents were probably closed.  But I would have guessed that the vents would help equalize the pressure and make opening easier.  Is it that the interior was actually pressurized relative to outside and the problem is that it can't slide against the top of the rails?

  Thanks in advance for your help.

 Barry S(2)

   	  Quote: 	
		  http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Tea_blank" href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

st" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-Lisllow" target="_blank" href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http========================

 [quote][b]

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> TeamGrumman-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum