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I've been meaning to ask if anyone has seen any problems with Legacy
canopy charging/discharging for some time now and then I saw Rob's post:
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Regarding: Rob Logan
Subject: [LML] Re: P-static blew my VM1000, autopilot and trim
indicator today
Flying back from Florida once, day IMC, noticed a fuzzy
feeling in my arms, and all the hairs were standing straight
out.. then crack, it felt like a sharp hammer had been raped on
my head.. then another sharp pain.. dang, these things hurt!
the huge plexi glass canopy was generating lots of charge and
it was discharging through my head! as I shrunk down to
get away from the canopy the arcs just got longer and hurt
more!. tried grounding my self with my elbow but was soon
VMC and things returned to normal...
no instrument loss, total time maybe 2mins?
Rob
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A couple of years ago someone on the LML recounted the early history of
plexiglass/acrylic canopies in the Air Force. As I remember, they had
several mysterious crashes of one of their new jet fighters. They ended
up determining that the new acrylic canopies were picking up a big
electrical charge when in IMC and were discharging to the pilot's
helmet/head -- electrocuting them. I'm guessing that is why almost all
fighters now have a zig zag shaped metallic piece bonded to their
canopies -- to provide a discharge path back to the fuselage.
I have to say, I couldn't help but wonder about Wendel Durr's accident
where he'd entered severe storms and the preliminary reports said his
flight ended in a "descending gradual right turn", as I remember... Has
anyone heard any more details on the cause -- beyond entering Level 5
thunderstorms?
Does anyone out there have enough background on the subject to tell us
how to provide a good discharge path for the electrons on the canopy
back to the fuselage?
Also, I think this is an example of the kind of things that when someone
in the community experiences they should be reported to everyone right
away. It may be nothing or it may be the first indications of something
very serious that we need to deal with. It's one thing to zap your
instruments -- it's a whole 'nother thing to really zap the instrument
between your ears...
Valin Thorn
Legacy, Houston
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