Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

Forums: 

From: Aaron May <aaronmay82 [at] lycos.com>
Subject: Legacy Canopy
Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2001 18:11:24 -0500
To: Lancair List <lancair.list [at] olsusa.com>

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          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>

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>>

   I reach for a part and it's there!  Then I wake up.  Yes, I MUST have been

dreaming, because that would make way too much sense...  nevermind. While

I'm waiting for that part, I'd love to hear from any Legacy builders who have

had experience with the canopy thus far.  I just got the stiffener in place

(I'm waiting for some foam to finish reinforcing it), and it occured to me that

if I asked the list, I might get a helpful list of "do's and don't's".  I would

be very grateful for any input.  Thanks in advance!

Aaron May





>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html

LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair



Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye [at] olsusa.com.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: <jerry [at] mc.net>
Subject: Re: Legacy Canopy
Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2001 12:12:02 -0500
To: <aaronmay82 [at] lycos.com>, lancair.list <lancair.list [at] olsusa.com>
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Aaron ...



I'm building a 320 and was wondering about the canopy stiffener you wrote

about for the LEG2.  If you could describe it's make-up/content, where it is

built into the canopy and why.  Maybe it would give all the 320 builders

some new ideas for stiffening their canopies ... the latest state of the art

thinking for canopies etc.  



Thanks in advance!



Jerry Grimmonpré  320

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html

LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair



Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye [at] olsusa.com.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Aaron May <aaronmay82 [at] lycos.com>
Subject: Re: Legacy Canopy
Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2001 14:15:59 -0500
To: <lancair.list [at] olsusa.com>
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          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>

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>>

<<If you could describe it's make-up/content, where it is

>built into the canopy and why.>>



  The Legacy canopy consists of three major components: the stiffener (frame

might be a better description), the glass and the skin.  The stiffener is a

carbon-fiber molded piece that is essentially like the skin, only with a big

"C" bend on the inside.  It serves as the primary structure as well as the

inside of the canopy.  The stiffener is to be cut apart in the back to allow

it to "custom fit" to the fuselage.  Then the gap (mine ended up being

about 1/8") is bridged with a total of 6 BIDS (3 2Bids varying in length).

  The "C", as I call it (think of it as a channel), is then fitted with 1/4"

foam along the top and down to about the canopy latch, where it is terminated.

Then the foam is closed out with a 4-BID.

   I know it's probably very difficult to picture, but hopefully that will

help you.Let me know if anything else needs to be explained.

Aaron May







>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html

LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair



Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye [at] olsusa.com.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Legacy canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Marvin Kaye <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: Legacy canopy
Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 08:40:48 -0400
To: <lml>
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Posted for "Wendell & Jean Durr" <legacy147 [at] cableone.net>:



We lowered the canopy strut attach points about 3/4 inch below what the

plans called for and that took care of the problem of the leading edge being

forced up. Canopy still opens wide and says "Ahhhhhhhh"

Legacy canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Rob Logan <Rob [at] Logan.com>
Sender: Marvin Kaye <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Legacy canopy
Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 09:38:27 -0400
To: <lml>
Message Header


Undecoded Message

> We lowered the canopy strut attach points about 3/4 inch below

or cut the hinge changing the angle and length so the canopy

leading edge is forced down when the strut passes center.



--

To live is not to learn, but to apply. -Legouvé

Legacy canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Marvin Kaye <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Legacy canopy
Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 10:17:23 -0400
To: <lml>
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Posted for "Dino Quaresimin" <dquaresimin [at] europarl.eu.int>:



What is the new height from top of the strut attach point ?



Dino

LEG2 - IO550N - LX-DIN



[ made a few out of card board to find the right angle,

so its alitte more than than that, but not hard, just try it...  -Rob ]

Legacy canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Micah Froese <micah [at] froese.com>
Sender: Marvin Kaye <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Legacy canopy
Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2004 19:17:25 -0500
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
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On the canopy of my Legacy I am getting a little
bit of rub when closing.  It is all on the right side and prevents the
canopy from closing. With just some gentle pressure the canopy closes fine
and looks good all around.  (I am starting to body work it now) 
Has anyone else run into this problem?  Is there some easy way to move the
whole canopy over 1/8"?  That would probably fix it.
 
Thanks,
 
Micah Froese
 
Legacy 2000
 
28.9238%  + - .00001%  as of 11/06/2004
18:43 EST
 
PS  It has been requested that I be a little
more exact on my completion percentage, unfortunately the algorithms currently
used for this endeavor are about all my computer can handle.  I have added
a time stamp though, hope that helps.

Legacy canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: <Nvatp [at] cs.com>
Sender: Marvin Kaye <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Legacy canopy
Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2004 21:28:23 -0500
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
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Micah, it would be nice if the canopy fit over the instrument panel, but without modifications it doesn't.

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Halle, John <JJHALLE [at] stoel.com>
Sender: Marvin Kaye <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: RE: Legacy Canopy
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2004 14:01:32 -0500
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
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The problem is not with the canopy but with the glareshield.  We tried all kinds of mods and finally just made a new glareshield from a mold.  Others have performed major surgery on their stock glareshields and got them to fit.  We talked to Lancair three years ago when we became aware of the problem and offered them our mold to copy.  Lanciar insisted that there was not problem with their glareshield so we dropped it but have been making glareshields from our mold for other Legacy builders.  I don't know whether the glareshields that Lancair is currently supplying fit but the ones delivered with at least the first 100 kits did not.  I don't think there is any mod that can reasonably be made to the canopy to correct the problem.



One other thing to think about.  If you designed your instrument panel based on the room available underneath the stock glareshield, you need to take a hard look at your top row of boxes.  If they were a marginal fit, they will not fit under a glareshield that will fit under the canopy.

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: QUARESIMIN Dino <dquaresimin [at] europarl.eu.int>
Sender: Marvin Kaye <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: RE: [LML] Re: Legacy Canopy
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 16:13:01 -0500
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
Message Header


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[LML] Re: Legacy Canopy
Hello John,
I am interested in a glareschield for my Legacy that fits better then the
original.
Can you email me with a picture of your glareshield and details on how to
proceed in order to get one.
 
Thanks
Dino
L2K LX-DIN
dquaresimin [at] europarl.eu.int

 
-----Original Message-----
From: Lancair Mailing
List on behalf of Halle, John
Sent: lun. 8/11/2004 20:01

To: Lancair Mailing List
Cc:
Subject: [LML]
Re: Legacy Canopy

The problem is not with the canopy but with the
glareshield.  We tried all kinds of mods and finally just made a new
glareshield from a mold.  Others have performed major surgery on their
stock glareshields and got them to fit.  We talked to Lancair three years
ago when we became aware of the problem and offered them our mold to
copy.  Lanciar insisted that there was not problem with their glareshield
so we dropped it but have been making glareshields from our mold for other
Legacy builders.  I don't know whether the glareshields that Lancair is
currently supplying fit but the ones delivered with at least the first 100
kits did not.  I don't think there is any mod that can reasonably be made
to the canopy to correct the problem.

One other thing to think
about.  If you designed your instrument panel based on the room available
underneath the stock glareshield, you need to take a hard look at your top row
of boxes.  If they were a marginal fit, they will not fit under a
glareshield that will fit under the canopy.



--
For archives
and unsub http://mail.lancaironline.net/lists/lml/

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: <JPKleber [at] aol.com>
Sender: Marvin Kaye <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Legacy Canopy
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 17:45:05 -0500
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
Message Header


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In a message dated 11/20/2004 2:13:18 PM Mountain Standard Time, dquaresimin [at] europarl.eu.int writes:
Hello John,
I am interested in a glareschield for my Legacy that fits better then the original.
Can you email me with a picture of your glareshield and details on how to proceed in order to get one.
 
Hi Dino,
 
The revised glareshields are available from Leighton Mangels for $150USD.  I just received mine last week.
 
You can contact Leighton at:
 
    leighton [at] teleport.com

 
Regards,
John Kleber

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: <PJHWFD [at] aol.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Legacy Canopy
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 18:00:39 -0400
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
Message Header


Undecoded Message

Has anyone had any problems with the canopy shifting on the Legacy. My forward edge has raised almost 3/8. Nothing has pulled out. bolts are tight. My explanation is that the bracket has bent.  the canopy can be a sail if left open in the wind.  Any ideas on how to shim this down now that is installed?

 
 
Peter Hebert
pjhwfd [at] aol.com
leg2 N23PH

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: <bbradburry [at] allvantage.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Legacy Canopy
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 10:54:18 -0500
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
Message Header


Undecoded Message

The canopy on my Legacy will no longer stay open and it is very heavy to

lift.  Does anyone know if the gas struts can be rejuvenated or do they have

to be replaced?  If so where can one find replacements?  I expected them to

last longer.  I don't even have this thing built yet!



Bill Bradburry

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: <Sky2high [at] aol.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Legacy Canopy
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 12:21:33 -0500
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
Message Header


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In a message dated 11/11/2005 9:57:40 A.M. Central Standard Time,
bbradburry [at] allvantage.com writes:

Does
anyone know if the gas struts can be rejuvenated or do they have
to be
replaced?  If so where can one find replacements?

Bill,
 
Must be replaced.
 
Try:
 
 
There are two canopy struts listed - call them to determine which is
correct:
 

Phone 1-866-659-AERO (2376)

 
Scott Krueger
AKA Grayhawk
Lancair N92EX IO320 SB 89/96
Aurora, IL
(KARR)

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Kyrilian Dyer <kyrilian_av [at] yahoo.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: Legacy Canopy
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 03:08:44 -0400
To: <lml>
Message Header


Undecoded Message

Mark,
I've downloaded the revisions to the build manual and have noted the changes you mention.  The pictures on your site are helpful--thanks.  What thickness and type of foam did you use, and how many BIDs on each side?  I received 6"x24" x 1/4" 4.5lb foam with my kit, which I've already used.  I just bought some more along with my order for an additional set of alignment plates and strikers.

If holes are not drilled through the stiffener, how is the air ejected evenly across the canopy from the glareshield?  Is the glareshielf modified, or is the intent that the glareshield creates a close gap with the stiffener through which air is forced?

I've seen many references by Lancair builders that a prepreg is a sandwich of foam and symmetric layups of BID.  On page 1-23 of the manual prepreg is defined as a honeycomb panel.  Is this like the avionics shelf that came as an option (p/n
4943)?  I've always understood prepreg to be stiff tacky cloth--carbon fiber or fiberglass--pre impregnated with epoxy, that must be refrigerated until shortly before use and heated to cure...

 Thanks,
- Kyrilian


marknlisa [at] hometel.com wrote:

Lancair no longer recommends using the canopy as an airbox with the holes
drilled at the base of the windscreen for canopy defrost, instead they
suggest running a hose to an outlet in the glare shield.


Do you Yahoo!?
Next-gen email? Have it all with the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Kevin Kossi <kevin [at] airforcemechanical.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Legacy Canopy
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:54:21 -0400
To: <lml>
Message Header


Undecoded Message

Kyrilian,


Here are a few photo's of what I think you are talking about. I did this at the factory and this was the recommended way to do it.
To put it together, I used Hysol on the canopy and lower edge joints and Micro over the foam area.
Make sure the Canopy is closed when it is set and drying so it conforms to the Fuselage properly, also use shims in place of the gasket for proper spacing.

Kevin
New York
Legacy 50%





On Aug 10, 2006, at 3:08 AM, Kyrilian Dyer wrote:



Mark,
I've downloaded the revisions to the build manual and have noted the changes you mention.  The pictures on your site are helpful--thanks.  What thickness and type of foam did you use, and how many BIDs on each side?  I received 6"x24" x 1/4" 4.5lb foam with my kit, which I've already used.  I just bought some more along with my order for an additional set of alignment plates and strikers.

If holes are not drilled through the stiffener, how is the air ejected evenly across the canopy from the glareshield?  Is the glareshielf modified, or is the intent that the glareshield creates a close gap with the stiffener through which air is forced?

I've seen many references by Lancair builders that a prepreg is a sandwich of foam and symmetric layups of BID.  On page 1-23 of the manual prepreg is defined as a honeycomb panel.  Is this like the avionics shelf that came as an option (p/n 4943)?  I've always understood prepreg to be stiff tacky cloth--carbon fiber or fiberglass--pre impregnated with epoxy, that must be refrigerated until shortly before use and heated to cure...

 Thanks,
- Kyrilian


marknlisa [at] hometel.com

wrote:
Lancair no longer recommends using the canopy as an airbox with the holes
drilled at the base of the windscreen for canopy defrost, instead they
suggest running a hose to an outlet in the glare shield.



Do you Yahoo!?
Next-gen email? Have it all with the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.



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IMG_0539.jpg


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IMG_0541.jpg


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IMG_0545.jpg


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IMG_0981.jpg


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IMG_0985.jpg

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: <Sky2high [at] aol.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Legacy Canopy
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:55:39 -0400
To: <lml>
Message Header


Undecoded Message

In a message dated 8/10/2006 2:09:11 A.M. Central Standard Time,
kyrilian_av [at] yahoo.com writes:

I've
seen many references by Lancair builders that a prepreg is a sandwich of foam
and symmetric layups of BID.  On page 1-23 of the manual prepreg is
defined as a honeycomb panel.  .............  I've always
understood prepreg to be stiff tacky cloth--carbon fiber or fiberglass--pre
impregnated with epoxy, that must be refrigerated until shortly before use and
heated to cure...

 Kyrilian,

All of the comments are basically true.  Post-cure heat is used to
raise the future temperature at which the epoxy starts to soften. Such a
temperature is much higher than wet lay-ups that are not heat-treated after
curing.  Panels, curved or flat, are stiffened by separating the BID
skins with various materials.  For example, single BID per side 1/4" thick
flat panels are very light and probably not used structurally.  Two BID per
side 5/8" thick panels are very strong and much stiffer. 
 
Nomex honeycomb can be used because of its lightness, but it is less
resistant to puncture wounds.  High density foam can be stronger,
stiffer and slightly heavier and is often used for upper wing surfaces
near the aircraft entry so those stiletto heels won't cause a problem on
that surface.  Less dense foam can be used in other locations.  The
fuselage, bulkheads and ribs may utilize the Nomex, although current
flanged ribs and bulkheads (similar to cap strip construction) tend to be
made of just glass without intervening BID separation since the flange itself
adds enough stiffness.
 
All of these items are laid up in a mold (even the flat panels) where the
final layers are dacron peel ply, cotton strips for air movement and plastic
sheeting that is sealed at the edges and tapped for a vacuum to remove the
air and squeeze everything together against the mold - thus vacuum
bagging.
 
The resulting pieces are generically called "prepreg" just like
kleenex is used for every nose doily manufactured.
 
Scott Krueger
AKA Grayhawk
Lancair N92EX IO320 SB 89/96
Aurora, IL
(KARR)

Abnegate Exigencies!

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: <marknlisa [at] hometel.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Legacy Canopy
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 20:19:32 -0400
To: <lml>
Message Header


Undecoded Message

Kyrilian,



Tech support suggested I install a pair of ribs crosswise - running from

left to right - in addition to the two fore/aft ribs that form the left a

right sides of the canopy defrost air box. Following that, the suggest you

fill the area between the ribs with a micro slurry. The crosswise ribs add

rigidity to the forward portion of the canopy. The microslurry gives this

area more strength.



Lancair makes these suggestions in response to two problems; 1) the

forward portion of the canopy lifting under pressure from the struts and

2) the forward portion of the canopy breaking when the canopy is pushed

open by the wind.



Lancair no longer recommends using the canopy as an airbox with the holes

drilled at the base of the windscreen for canopy defrost, instead they

suggest running a hose to an outlet in the glare shield.



If you take a look at my website (navigate to the builders' log and then

the section on the canopy) I pretty carefully recorded how I completed

this step from Lancair's directions.



Another pair of striker plates in the forward section might do the same

job to keep the canopy from lifting, but I don't know how it might

interact with other things up there.





Mark Sletten

Legacy FG N828LM

http://www.legacyfgbuilder.com

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: James Cameron <toucan [at] Satx.rr.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Legacy Canopy
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 23:57:59 -0400
To: <lml>
Message Header


Undecoded Message
Part of the problem with bulging of the forward part of the
Legacy canopy may also be due to the inflatable canopy seal.  As supplied
by KCI, the pressure switch is usually set at 15 -20 psi.  Lowering that
pressure to 10 - 12 psi significantly reduces the stress on the canopy, and
still provides adequate sealing in flight.  To change the setting, there's
an adjustment screw on the switch, but you have to set up some sort of manometer
system to check the on/off pressure setting as you're adjusting the
screw.
 
Jim Cameron
Boerne, TX
 

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Dennis Johnson <pinetownd [at] volcano.net>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Legacy Canopy
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 07:29:43 -0500
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
Message Header


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I've posted this before, but since the issue has come up again, here it is
again.
 
Here is the "canopy holder opener" that I made to hold the canopy open a
few inches while on the ground.  The first photo shows the canopy position
while the "holder opener" is engaged:
 
 
This photo shows the "holder opener".  It's hard to tell from the
photo, but it's showing an aluminum strap hanging down from the center of the
aft end of the canopy, engaged into a hole in the canopy roll over frame. 
The black loop of bungee cord engages the brass cup hook to prevent the "holder
opener" from disengaging. 
 
 
The "canopy holder opener" securely holds the canopy open a few inches for
ventilation while on the ground.  Most of the time I'm on the ground, the
"canopy holder opener" is either engaged or the canopy is latched closed,
depending on outside air temperature. 
 
Dennis Johnson
Legacy, 680 hours


Image


open canopy side.jpg


Image


open canopy (600x800).jpg

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Chris Zavatson <chris_zavatson [at] yahoo.com>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: Legacy Canopy
Date: Fri, 09 May 2014 07:54:27 -0400
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
Message Header


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Jack,
I'm in.  My interest in this whole discussion centers more around the aerodynamics of the situation and why we have such opposing first-hand accounts; everything from  'It will try to kill you' to 'no-big deal'.  I remember the 360 had a similar differing accounts.  I think there were bent airplanes but no fatalities.
I was also curious if any of the events were latched canopies that got unhooked.
Chris

==============
Posted for JON ADDISON< jraddison [at] msn.com>:

> At the risk of being chastised for "not having enough data," for the sake of
>lives saved, I will make one last plea.There are 3 important data points,
>that do in fact point out the critical need for a separate red warning light
>in
all Legacys and 235/320/360s (with forward hinged canopies). While all the
>arguments of secondary canopy lock, and whether to release a (very good)
>paper on the subject, most of the subject aircraft are flying around without
>a red warning light (separate from an EFIS).That warning light tucked under
>the glare shield, that is illuminated anytime the canopy is not down and over
>center locked, if installed in all remaining subject aircraft, WILL save one
>or more lives.So while the rhubarb laced with technological-obstructionism
>carries on, please, lets support all these Lancairs in getting a warning
>light installed.   And it must be over center activated.In the mean time,
>NASA/Ames Research Center, is the place to petition for the use of the 40x80
>wind tunnel using an actual current Legacy properly mounted for a matrix of
>cg's, angle of attacks, and canopy
opened at various airspeeds.It's not out
>of the question to solicit a somewhat abandoned bare-bones Legacy project
>aircraft for a model.Seriously, this would be a great project for Chris
>Zaviston.   (Thanks Chris!)  However, it's not out of the question to solicit
>a grad student involvement from just up the road at Stanford University which
>just happens to have a very robust graduate Aero Engr department.In years
>past NASA has been quite eager for University projects, even to the extent of
>funding some.Their engineering and human resources have already well
>documented the value of certain critical red "abort" lights.As for the
>engineering of a secondary latch system that does not impede egress from
>inside or from outside assistance (rescue); that can be embarked upon by home
>builders.    Lancair told me in-person they are not
interested in the
>secondary latch.Thus, the clock is ticking while worthy discussion takes
>place and long term engineering is contemplated.  We should all encourage to
>do that which is easy and quite effective in the meantime: add a bright
>canopy warning light for under $20.To NOT release the paper, in some form or
>another, would actually be detrimental at this point, in that it well could
>contribute to a fatal accident by not providing information useful to a well
>intended builder.Interesting that Lancair on the factory panel for new Legacy
>kits includes a red light above the EFIS for canopy not locked.  The light is
>wired in a bundle, but the actual switching is left to the builder.
> Jack Addison

Legacy Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous on

From: Valin & Allyson Thorn <thorn [at] starflight.aero>
Sender: <marv [at] lancaironline.net>
Subject: RE: [LML] Legacy Canopy
Date: Fri, 09 May 2014 15:01:36 -0400
To: <lml [at] lancaironline.net>
Message Header


Undecoded Message

Chris, it would be an interesting research project.  On the 360 history, every time the Legacy canopy issue comes up a number of 360 pilots chime in that they have no problems flying a 320/360 with their canopy’s unlatched.  I received a note from one that when it happened to him he just slowed down and latched the canopy in flight. 

 

If we could get more info on the 360 history/behavior flying with the canopy unlatched that will be helpful.

 

Thanks,

 

Valin

 

 

From: Lancair Mailing List [lml [at] lancaironline.net]">mailto:lml [at] lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Chris Zavatson
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2014 5:54 AM
To: Lancair Mailing List
Subject: [LML] Legacy Canopy

 

Jack,

I'm in.  My interest in this whole discussion centers more around the aerodynamics of the situation and why we have such opposing first-hand accounts; everything from  'It will try to kill you' to 'no-big deal'.  I remember the 360 had a similar differing accounts.  I think there were bent airplanes but no fatalities.

I was also curious if any of the events were latched canopies that got unhooked.

Chris

 

==============

Posted for JON ADDISON< jraddison [at] msn.com

>:

> At the risk of being chastised for "not having enough data," for the sake of
>lives saved, I will make one last plea.There are 3 important data points,
>that do in fact point out the critical need for a separate red warning light
>in all Legacys and 235/320/360s (with forward hinged canopies). While all the
>arguments of secondary canopy lock, and whether to release a (very good)
>paper on the subject, most of the subject aircraft are flying around without
>a red warning light (separate from an EFIS).That warning light tucked under
>the glare shield, that is illuminated anytime the canopy is not down and over
>center locked, if installed in all remaining subject aircraft, WILL save one
>or more lives.So while the rhubarb laced with technological-obstructionism
>carries on, please, lets support all these Lancairs in getting a warning
>light installed.   And it must be over center activated.In the mean time,
>NASA/Ames Research Center, is the place to petition for the use of the 40x80
>wind tunnel using an actual current Legacy properly mounted for a matrix of
>cg's, angle of attacks, and canopy opened at various airspeeds.It's not out
>of the question to solicit a somewhat abandoned bare-bones Legacy project
>aircraft for a model.Seriously, this would be a great project for Chris
>Zaviston.   (Thanks Chris!)  However, it's not out of the question to solicit
>a grad student involvement from just up the road at Stanford University which
>just happens to have a very robust graduate Aero Engr department.In years
>past NASA has been quite eager for University projects, even to the extent of
>funding some.Their engineering and human resources have already well
>documented the value of certain critical red "abort" lights.As for the
>engineering of a secondary latch system that does not impede egress from
>inside or from outside assistance (rescue); that can be embarked upon by home
>builders.    Lancair told me in-person they are not interested in the
>secondary latch.Thus, the clock is ticking while worthy discussion takes
>place and long term engineering is contemplated.  We should all encourage to
>do that which is easy and quite effective in the meantime: add a bright
>canopy warning light for under $20.To NOT release the paper, in some form or
>another, would actually be detrimental at this point, in that it well could
>contribute to a fatal accident by not providing information useful to a well
>intended builder.Interesting that Lancair on the factory panel for new Legacy
>kits includes a red light above the EFIS for canopy not locked.  The light is
>wired in a bundle, but the actual switching is left to the builder.
> Jack Addison