RBD
Well Known Member
Unlike most "first flight" announcements, mine isn't one that I'm too proud of. That's right, I joined a club that I really didn't want to ever join - those who failed to secure their canopy, and subsequently blew it off. Fortunately for me, mine departed the aircraft on the take-off roll and considering what could have happened, the whole thing was fairly uneventful. I was also fortunate that the canopy didn't hit me or the empennage on it's way off AND landed right side up before sliding down the paved runway - I think it's salvageable, but it's going to take some work.
The flight: It seems that most others who have been down this road have had something out the ordinary (be it their own doing or some external cause) introduced to their usual pre-takeoff routine, as did I. For me, it was my little Flip pocket videocamera. I have never brought it in the plane before, but decided that yesterday morning would be a good time to do so. My RV-4 canopy is equipped with a taxi latch, and the canopy is always in that position until I do my run-up, at which point I drop the canopy and lock it in place. Not so yesterday. I got in, strapped in, fired up, and then turned to mount the camera where I wanted it - just to the right of me on the roll bar support tube. I then closed the canopy to make sure the camera would clear, it did. I left the canopy down and began my taxi for departure. Again, I never taxi with the canopy down. Once at the runway, I did my usual run-up, went through my mental pre-takeoff checklist, which included confirming the canopy was secured. I looked over at the yellow knob to confirm that it was back, but I didn't touch it to make sure. In hindsight, I realized that although it was back, it was only back to the point where the pins are just entering their holes; the latch needed to be pulled back another inch or so to full engage the pins. Anyhow, I announced my intentions, pulled onto the runway, applied full power, got the tail up...and watched in horror as the canopy raised and immediately ripped off. I instinctively ducked as the canopy came off and next thing I knew I was well on my way for a ground loop. I was able to arrest the rotation will full rudder, but ended up veering off the runway and into the grass. Shut down, got out, and picked up the pieces to my canopy, pride, and my trusty VAF hat - all of which were littered on the runway. It's been a very humbling experience.
The canopy: All four bottom corners of the canopy skirt received minor damage (bending really) but should be able to be straightened out. The bubble is good. The frame and cross-member (the support that goes behind the rollbar) are not. My canopy was attached with a gas strut that attached to the cross-member, which was folded in half when the canopy blew. This also broke some of the tubing/welds in the canopy frame. The piano hinge and soft rivets did exactly what they were designed to do. I'm glad their is no real damage to the airplane.
Sad sight:
Here you can see how the cross member buckled when the gas strut yanked free:
Damage caused by the cross-member buckling. Part of the canopy frame will need to be replaced.
Amazingly, this is the worst of the damage to the canopy skirt:
Now for the asking for help part. As I didn't build this plane or any others, I don't have the tools or skills to make this right. I'd like to find someone somewhat local (central FL) to work on this for or with me. I think the frame can be fixed. A foot long piece of tubing will need to be welded in to replace the section that was ripped out by the cross-member. Unfortunately, that means that the bubble will likely have to come off. A new cross-member will also obviously need to be made/installed. I think the skirts are ok. It's going to be a bit of project, but I'm guessing that it's better than starting from scratch. Anyhow, if anyone is interested (or has any recommendations) in making some $$$ while simultaneously helping a fellow RVer, please send me a PM.
The flight: It seems that most others who have been down this road have had something out the ordinary (be it their own doing or some external cause) introduced to their usual pre-takeoff routine, as did I. For me, it was my little Flip pocket videocamera. I have never brought it in the plane before, but decided that yesterday morning would be a good time to do so. My RV-4 canopy is equipped with a taxi latch, and the canopy is always in that position until I do my run-up, at which point I drop the canopy and lock it in place. Not so yesterday. I got in, strapped in, fired up, and then turned to mount the camera where I wanted it - just to the right of me on the roll bar support tube. I then closed the canopy to make sure the camera would clear, it did. I left the canopy down and began my taxi for departure. Again, I never taxi with the canopy down. Once at the runway, I did my usual run-up, went through my mental pre-takeoff checklist, which included confirming the canopy was secured. I looked over at the yellow knob to confirm that it was back, but I didn't touch it to make sure. In hindsight, I realized that although it was back, it was only back to the point where the pins are just entering their holes; the latch needed to be pulled back another inch or so to full engage the pins. Anyhow, I announced my intentions, pulled onto the runway, applied full power, got the tail up...and watched in horror as the canopy raised and immediately ripped off. I instinctively ducked as the canopy came off and next thing I knew I was well on my way for a ground loop. I was able to arrest the rotation will full rudder, but ended up veering off the runway and into the grass. Shut down, got out, and picked up the pieces to my canopy, pride, and my trusty VAF hat - all of which were littered on the runway. It's been a very humbling experience.
The canopy: All four bottom corners of the canopy skirt received minor damage (bending really) but should be able to be straightened out. The bubble is good. The frame and cross-member (the support that goes behind the rollbar) are not. My canopy was attached with a gas strut that attached to the cross-member, which was folded in half when the canopy blew. This also broke some of the tubing/welds in the canopy frame. The piano hinge and soft rivets did exactly what they were designed to do. I'm glad their is no real damage to the airplane.
Sad sight:
Here you can see how the cross member buckled when the gas strut yanked free:
Damage caused by the cross-member buckling. Part of the canopy frame will need to be replaced.
Amazingly, this is the worst of the damage to the canopy skirt:
Now for the asking for help part. As I didn't build this plane or any others, I don't have the tools or skills to make this right. I'd like to find someone somewhat local (central FL) to work on this for or with me. I think the frame can be fixed. A foot long piece of tubing will need to be welded in to replace the section that was ripped out by the cross-member. Unfortunately, that means that the bubble will likely have to come off. A new cross-member will also obviously need to be made/installed. I think the skirts are ok. It's going to be a bit of project, but I'm guessing that it's better than starting from scratch. Anyhow, if anyone is interested (or has any recommendations) in making some $$$ while simultaneously helping a fellow RVer, please send me a PM.
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