----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
The only canopy losses I have ever heard described in an
Alon were caused by the plastic canopy separating from the sliding
frame.
Wayne Woollard
----- Original Message -----From: DONALD BOWENTo: Ralph Finch ; 'COUPERS TECH'Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 8:14 PMSubject: RE: [COUPERS-TECH] closing canopy in flight----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----Hello again, Ralph,
I don't know why you are so defensive about this issue. I thought I made my reservations about flying with my canopy open very clear. I was expressing my own doubts about the canopy locking mechanism, based on reports from Coupers who related (but did not go into any meaningful detail) about one or several canopy separations in flight. How is my mechanic supposed to correct this "not airworthy" condition if he isn't provided the necessary details? I don't know where to find them. I have had my canopy rigging checked by an A&P IA who said it "looked OK to him". Perhaps you could help out all we ALON and M-10 Coupers by providing references to proper procedures to "keep our aircraft in airworthy condition" as you do - referring to the canopy rigging, of course. Such info will be greatly appreciated, as will any information you may have about the reported separation(s). In the meantime, since I am still doubtful, and don't particularly feel a necessity to fly canopy open until this matter is resolved, I will continue to fly with my canopy closed and locked. This is solely based on my own general prudence, and is not intended to disparage your practices. It would be nice to feel I could "enjoy my airplane as it was built", but I cannot overlook the fact that it was built over 40 years ago, and according to Fred Weick, was not designed nor manufactured to last as long as it has. BTW, my "it reminds me of" was a reference to my flying, not yours. Don
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Subject: RE: [COUPERS-TECH] closing canopy in flight
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2006 18:30:20 -0800----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----> In a way, it reminds me of the gent who ripped the wings off his Coupe while doing unauthorized aerobaticsIt may remind you of that, but there is no comparison. The Alon is not certified for acrobatics; it is certified to open the canopy up to 100 mph. I suggest that if you feel that is life-threatening, you have an aircraft that is clearly not airworthy and you should ground it immediately until the unsafe condition is fixed.I keep my Alon in an airworthy condition so I can enjoy it as it was built, no more, and no less.Ralph Finch============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm
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