Andy Durbin wrote:
Eric Greenwell wrote in message ...

On my ASH 26 E, the gas spring and the weight of the canopy supply a
noticeable closing force when the canopy is held open a few inches. I
think this would be plenty to engage a simple latch that would keep the
canopy from opening in flight. By "opening", I mean it might allow the
rear edge of the canopy to rise an inch or two, but no more. The usual
latches would still be used to secure it closed.



I suppose there is a first time for everything and at Parowan I manged
to launch with my P tube trapped under the instrument panel of my
ASW-28. Didn't notice the problem until well out on course so my
options were don't pee, or open the canopy to free it.

I very carefully held the canopy frame on one side and released the
latch on that side. Nothing happened. I then repeated the procedure
on the other side holding on even more strongly. Again nothing
happened. I was very surprised that I had to strongly push up on the
canopy to get it to open the half inch I need to free the P tube. I
was trimmed for about 60kts I think. It may behave differently at
different speeds.

I am curious about how different canopies will react to being unlatched.
The Schleicher design appears to have air pressure holding it down, at
least in the closed position. I don't know what happens if turbulence
were to bounce it up a few inches.

A friend had his DG 400 canopy open in flight, and stay open, so he had
to pull it closed. His headphones and various things flew out of the
cockpit. Fortunately, he was quite high at the time, and dealt with it
successively, but (as I recall) could not retrieve the headphones, so
the cord kept the canopy from latching after he pulled it back down.

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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA