SinCityJets

I almost paid the ultimate price today. Took off, gear up, flaps up, canopy off......HUH [X(]

Cut back on the throttle, gear down, flaps down, set down. I got lucky. I have seen what has happened to a few guys on here who lost their canopies on their flash.

Just didn't do a final check.....won't do it again.

Just a friendly reminder, take your time and double check!

Chad

hooker53

My Feedback: (106)

oooH no Chad!! The Gods were with you!!! [sm=thumbs_up.gif] Roy

RCISFUN

My Feedback: (44)

Lucky Man

phjoker

My Feedback: (4)

You mean like mine..
I am glad nothing happened and you got it back safe.
I actually cut out a peep hole in the front of the cockpit so I can visually see the rod go through into the canopy. I am not gonna do it twice

sailing1

My Feedback: (134)

You guys have me spooked. The peep hole is a great idea. Think I will do that and then paint the end of the rod some really contrasting color so I can be sure it is closed.

gooseF22

Yep!!! did that too. Learned from PJ.. CONGRATS...Chad, you have a free airplane..... now fly it like its stolen... you stole it back from the jaws of death..

AFTERBURNER1

My Feedback: (80)

Rookie!!![X(][8D]

hyperdyne

My Feedback: (6)

Good idea on the peephole. I will look at doing that to mine.

SinCityJets

I can't argue with that one.....that was a rookie move.

I have to say though, it seemed very controllable, fortunately I wasn't up to speed when the canopy departed. It was weird seeing the plane come in without its canopy.

Chad

LGM Graphix

My Feedback: (22)

I guess I'll ask the question, with this being a more than once occurance, would it not make more sense to use either a regular BVM hatch latch, or a single bolt like the Kingcat uses? Seems to me you can't get much more secure than a bolt holding the canopy on, either it threads in and tightens or it doesn't. Would be a less obtrusive way to hold the canopy on than a peep hole so you can make sure the rod has engaged.

SinCityJets

Jeremy,

I have to tell you, the Comp Arf latch is actually pretty genius. When it's latched, that canopy AIN'T coming off. "WHEN" being the operative word. Personally I like the latching system, I just didn't latch the canopy closed. I equate it to fueling and not putting the cap back in the fuel line. Something stupid that you KNOW you should do, you just didn't do it.

Chad

LGM Graphix

My Feedback: (22)

Hi Chad,
I saw the latch system on Paul's Flash, I personally hate the look of the ball on the nose, but you don't notice it from 10 feet away or in flight. I thought it was a good system until the one fellow lost his flash and now you didn't get it latched properly, it just seems to maybe be easier to miss than a hatch latch that you can see click in, or a bolt where you know it's in tight.
Either way, very glad you didn't lose your jet!
Jeremy

rcjets_63

My Feedback: (4)

Chad,

Glad to hear that you got the Splash back without any (further) issues. The peephole and painted pushrod seems like a great idea.

I had the canopy hatch depart from my Gripen during a high speed split-S. We all heard a "Boom" and saw confetti rain down. That was a real "Pampers" moment. Fortunately, other than the missing canopy, the plane seemed fine and I flew it around for a few minutes at half throttle to burn off fuel before landing. It sure did look weird in the air. I'm not sure why/how the spring loaded hatch latch released; I'm positive it was locked but now I'm double checking before every flight.

Regards,

Jim

PaulD

My Feedback: (39)

The way my Flash worked out, there is a slight upward bend in the canopy frame which is visible when the latch pin is not in place. In order for me to get the pin enaged, I have to push down on the front of the canopy frame to engage the pin. Helps as I can immediately see that the hatch is secured down.

Regardless, I have made it a habit as one of the final checks before I taxi out is to give a good tug on the hatch.

Glad to see that this event didn't result in a loss Chad. (even if your Flash is the ugliest one out there.... [:'(] )

PaulD

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

This is one reason i purposely make installing my canopies/hatch's a major chore. I figure since i know its a PITA to get to latch in place (even with a normal style latch) i'll take the extra time to get the latch to click into place and be 100% certain its latch'd. And its a good gaurantee that latch wont come out on its own from the receiver.

aquaskiman

My Feedback: (46)

I put a cap screw in mine, I didn’t like the wire. If you blow up this pic you can see it.

SinCityJets

You know what Paul, if that statement wasn't so damn true, I would be mad at you right now!

It's ugly, but these Flashes are battleships man!

Chad

bcovish

My Feedback: (8)

Glad you got it back.

Kinda reminds me of Aloha Airlines. They offered "patio seating" on one of their flights.

gooseF22

I didn't like the ball either. I made a quick pitot boom.. wdythink?

jkeze

My Feedback: (36)

I didn't like the ball either. I made a quick pitot boom.. wdythink?

Read more: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_97...#ixzz0nUFtkGfr


You may be sorry its sticking out. I cant tell you how many times I have had to straighten out the wire from leaving it hang out an inch or two while the plane is in the pits. People walk by it and have caught the wire with their leg. So have I for that matter.

SinCityJets

Thanks Bob. I was living in hawaii when they tested their new convertible model. That was a sad day for one flight attendant and her family, but it could have been a whole lot worse. The crew did a great job with that one.

Chad

InboundLZ

My Feedback: (10)

Check List not sounding as anal as it used to aye?

I try to remember to ask Jake on Taxi

Smoke?
FLaps?

And After T/O...

Gear up?
Flaps up?

Now, when calling for Chad I will add..."Canopy Latched?'

phjoker

My Feedback: (4)

Just remember to ask him before the taxi and not after the T/O [:'(]

InboundLZ

My Feedback: (10)

Roger that!