Canopy open in flight.

[Dave Fisher]

A discussion in another forum has suggested that new Sport Cruisers have a 'grab bar' to assist the pilot in closing the canopy. Are any pictures available. Can this be retro fitted to existing airplanes?

[Ben Fitzgerald-O'Connor]

Hi - the grab handle can be fitted to the existing planes - and the microswitch & warning light is also not a hard retrofit - you can order both of these from your dealer. - part numbers you can lookup at http://www.ussportaircraft.com/documents/CR_IPC-1-0-00_Parts_2011.pdf 

 

At the same time you could ad dthe headset hook - very useful.

 

Regards

Ben

[Dave Fisher]

Thanks Ben. I have been using a 'custom' headset hook and agree a very nice addition to the airplane. This is the first I've seen the grab handle.  Thanks for the reference.

[Dave Fleming]

Dave, I took a piece of sheetmetal (about 12x3 inches) and bent it half.  Then I took the ends (about 3 inches) and bent 90 degrees - thereby forming a 'T'.

After closing the canopy, I push the 'bottom' of the T into the slot where the canopy handle is.  IT prevent the canopy from ever opening ... sorry for the long discussion but it works fine and doesn't cost much :)

Dave

[Joseph Kiefer]

Any idea how the handle attaches to the canopy frame?  If it is just held with screws into the plastic frame I'd be concerned about how it would hold up if you put enough force on it to close the canopy in flight.  Also, it looks like there are two "canopy open " micro switches avaiabe - one on the latching handle and one on the canopy.  Do you need both and, if not, which is best?  Finally, where is the canopy open indicator?  I cannot find anything on the various panels.

 

  

[Ben Fitzgerald-O'Connor]

Canopy open indicator is on the dash - see pics of the 2012 planes from the Friedrichshafen show at http://www.flickr.com/photos/onega/sets/72157629532984876/ - you'll see it on the panel shots.

 

The canopy handle attaches via screws but these are strong, they are not designed for closing the canopy in flight still - best be careful to ensure it is closed and locked before flight (my normal checks include a push up to ensure it is locked the old fashioned way pre take-off).

 

Regards

Ben

[Joseph Kiefer]

Thanks for the information Ben.  I do appreciate it.

I did find one problem with the "push up" check the second time I flew my Piper Sport:  It won't tell you if only one side of the canopy has correctly latched, a not uncommon problem especially if you are trying to latch in a cross wind..  I added  a visual check of both sides to my check list.