"C J Campbell" wrote in message
news:2007032308245816807-christophercampbell@hotmailcom...
On 2007-02-28 19:41:14 -0800, john smith said:

In article . net,
"Todd W. Deckard" wrote:

Why would you say this? The door would be fairly easy to open in a spin.
In a high speed loss of control it might be very difficult to overcome
aerodynamic resistance but it is possible to open a forward hinged door
and force it open enough to squeeze out at even 100kts in straight
flight.
With a modern canopy you stand a chance of a survivable deployment at
even a few hundred feet.

I wouldn't be too positive about those statements.
I have over 300 freefalls and 25 hours of acro in a Citabria.
The Citabria only has one door... on the right side. In a right spin,
the rate of descent is still going to be about 800 fpm with an indicated
airspeed of 45-50 mph. That's quite and airload on the inside turn side
of the airframe. Add to that centrifugal forces and getting through the
doorway after jettisoning the door will be a challenging proposition.
You have two sets of seatbelts to release, a headset to remove and a
body with a parachute attached to fit through the doorway. When you exit
you will be on the inside side of the airplane, which you have to clear
before you pull the D-ring.
Tic-toc, the clock is winding down as fast as the altimeter.
I have knowledge of only one acro pilot who successfully exited a
Decathlon.

There was a guy down in Borrego Springs who managed to bail out when his
Citabria would not recover. Checking the wreckage later he found the
seatbelt from the rear seat had wrapped itself around the stick.

He could have sworn he had secured that thing.
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor

ISTR a report by an owner of a (new?) Citabria/Decathlon who successfully
bailed out of his aircraft after the rear seat back fell forward and jammed
behind the stick and limited back movement. My Citabria instructor was
quite clear that checking the small tie back cable on the seat back was a
required part of every pre-flight. IIRC there was a photo of him holding
his loose unpacked parachute and standing in front of a pile of what was
once his aircraft. IIRC the report was in the form of a thank you to the
manufacturer (Strong?) of the parachute and was on his website.

Happy landings,