Guy Byars wrote:
So should open cockpit vintage gliders come with a
health warning then?

No, the gliders with canopies should have the following warning:

WARNING: Do not depend on this canopy for protection against the sun. Even
though you might not receive a sunburn through this canopy, you will still
be exposed to the sun's UVA wavelengths. The UVA wavelengths are a proven
carcinogen. While using this canopy you should still protect yourself with
opaque clothing and broad spectrum sunscreens.

Guy, I seem to recall an article from a long time ago where you wrote
about adding tinted film to the canopy. Are you aware of what it takes
to have a canopy that blocks, say, at least 95% of the UVA? I've been
unable to find charts showing the transmission figures for tinted
acrylic. I suppose there might be coatings that could be applied by
either the material, canopy, or sailplane manufacturer, but I don't know
if these are available, practical, or even useful.

I use two plastic sheets on the inside of the canopy during the winter
to prevent fogging/frosting of almost the entire canopy during wave
flying . If these were made of a UVA blocker plastic or had the
appropriate coating, they could be left on all year. Even better would
be a anti-UVA coating with anti-scratch properties than could be applied
to a finished canopy.

The pilot would still need to protect himself while outside the glider,
but a completely protective canopy would eliminate many hours of
exposure. Sunscreen could be wiped off the face just before getting into
the glider, preventing the eye irritation/blinding problem.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

"Transponders in Sailplanes" on the Soaring Safety Foundation website
www.soaringsafety.org/prevention/articles.html

"A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org