Hello Matt again--
The center piece is also nice for:
1. rain protection--I have flown in fairly good rain and the wind
goes
right past the side openings and keeps the rain out even though the
sides are still open.
2. airspeed--if you have no center piece and have the sides open,
you
lose about 5 mph in cruise due to the increased turbulance over the
fuselage, resulting in increased drag. You also have to re-trim as soon
as you open up the whole works, which indicates a greater angle of
attack due to the turbulance and drag. If the center piece is in place
you do not have to re-trim and do not lose any airspeed. Another aspect
of this one is: taking off or landing is not recommended with the
entire top open, again due to the increased turbulance, drag, etc. I
have had no trouble taking off or landing with the sides down and the
center piece overhead.Syd Cohen NC94196
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