Posted for JON ADDISON <jraddison@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
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