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I have a Lancair 360 with a forward opening canopy. (hinged at
the front.) I have left it open inadvertently twice and both times have
successfully taken off, flown the pattern and landed. One time it was at
night. I did not notice it was open until airborne.
At no time did I feel that I was I in danger of the canopy
opening fully. When I moved the a/c from my garage to the paint shop on a
trailer the canopy was not latched. I was following behind the trailer and
at speeds up to 75mph the canopy opened about 1 to 2 inches and appeared to
achieve equilibrium at that point. I grant you not a definitive test but a
pointer to what might happen at higher speeds.
I cannot see how the canopy could open wide enough to cause
the a/c to become unmanageable. I have though about putting a little hand
grab at the rear of the canopy to allow the pilot or passenger to close it but
have not yet done so.
Ian Crowe
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