At 16:21 02 August 2014, Craig Funston wrote:

I'm curious about your comment regarding changes in
recommended bailout
pro=
cedures for SH type sailplanes. I don't find any reference to
not
jettison=
ing the canopy on the SH website and there are no listed
changes to the
Nim=
bus 3 flight manual. The FM recommends first opening the left
side and
then=
raising the canopy and pulling the hinge pins. This is the
way I
practice=
it, however, honestly I've never been convinced the canopy
would really
go=
away. Front release and a Roeger hook has always seemed
like a better
sol=
ution.

Glad to see that the UK pilot got away safely regardless of
how it was
acco=
mplished.

Thanks,
Craig 7Q

I can't speak for the Nimbus 3 but for more modern SH gliders
to jettison the canopy you open the canopy with the left side
handle as usual and the right side hinges and canopy position
cord are designed to tear away. The black right side canopy
removal knob is only for removal for maintenance etc (and for
confusing with the nearby fuel valve in turbos - especially when
the canopy is open on the ground).

I found that good ways to accidentally practice (almost)
jettisoning modern SH canopies are to catch the left side
opening handle in the cuff of a long sleeve shirt or in a glove.

John Galloway