Glider pilot rolls inverted and exits at 1400 feet AGL

On Saturday, August 2, 2014 8:14:49 AM UTC-7, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Saturday, August 2, 2014 10:21:11 AM UTC-4, wrote:

I notice that he did not jettison his canopy, just opened it.

Still worked out ok...



Please be sure you understand the bailout sequence for

any aircraft you fly. For SH gliders (as this appears

to be), jettisoning the (non-Roget-hook-equipped) canopy

can result in the canopy swinging sideways and hitting

you in the head and incapacitating you, or merely

breaking your jaw as happened to a friend of mine.

Consequently, IIRC the procedure was changed to open

only and do NOT pull the jettison knob.



Please be safe out there and MAKE SURE you know

your jettison procedure! Then periodically practice

on the ground...

Best Regards, Dave

Dave,

I'm curious about your comment regarding changes in recommended bailout procedures for SH type sailplanes. I don't find any reference to not jettisoning the canopy on the SH website and there are no listed changes to the Nimbus 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 solution.

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

Thanks,
Craig 7Q