 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Bill Strahan
Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 145
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 12:47 pm Post subject: Canopy reflections and fire |
 |
|
I think it was on this forum that I read several years back about an open canopy concentrating enough light to set the dash on fire. I'm so glad I read that!
I was in Salida, CO on a gorgeous and VERY clear sunny day. I parked the plane and popped up the canopy. The sun was just back over my shoulder, and while sitting there for 30 seconds or so, I suddenly noticed the smell of burning chemicals!
I'm so glad I read about the canopy and it's potential to focus the sun, because it immediately caused me to look down to the dash. Flames!
I swatted them with one hand and pulled the canopy halfway down with the other. Very little damage done, but if I had opened the canopy and walked away this would have been a bad one!
It's important to realize it's not the canopy acting like a lens, it's the canopy as a mirror. Sure, perhaps it only reflects 5%, but it's a BIG canopy and the focal point on the burned point is less than a square inch. Call the canopy 6 square feet (conservative) and with just 5% reflectivity you've got 30 watts thrown into a very small area.
Careful with the canopy. My rule now is always: If it's open I'm with it, unless it's in a hanger!
| | - The Matronics Lightning-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Lightning-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
wb2ssj(at)rochester.rr.co
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:10 am Post subject: Canopy reflections and fire |
|
|
Bill, I was not that lucky. I left it open and went in the FBO to pay for
gas. Bad day at Black Rock.
Tex
---
| | - The Matronics Lightning-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Lightning-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
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 cannot download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
