Hi Vaughn,
Am happy to hear that you are back on track with the project. How is
progress?
You were fortunate with the Tomahawk door. Re Europa doors, my
experience is that mine opened up once a long time ago (rear bolt not
engaged) just as I was lifting off at take off. I was able to gently set
it back down without losing the door. Lucky me. I am now a bit anal
about checking the bolts. I believe that if you fly with one bolt out,
there may be no way you can stop the door opening or even think about
relocking it. Just fly the plane.
At the 2008 Sun N Fun, there was a prize winning Lancair which departed
---From the show. The photo at take off (below) shows his front hinge
canopy was open about 2" at the back edge. He crashed fatally about 5
miles from the airport. Even at big shows you can always declare an
emergency. This guy could have put it back down. Moral = "Fly the Plane!"
Cheers, John
ORIGINAL MESSAGE/
From: "Europa List" <n914va@bvunet.net>
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Liberty XL Service Bulletin for Canopy Shoot Bolts
I learned to fly in a Piper Tomahawk which used a similar system to secure
the doors. It was pounded into my head to check both doors very carefully
before taking of. On my long solo cross country I left Harrisburg
International and as I turned to leave the pattern, I noticed more noise
than usual. Sure enough the rear shoot bolt on my side was not engaged. I
slowed to 10 knots above stall and trimed for level flight as instructed and
was able to correctly shut the door. I was prepared to request permission
and land back at Harrisburg had I not been successful because of the dire
warnings from my instructor about not bringing the complete airplane home.
Learning a lesson without dire consequences is most preferable. Learning
---From others mistakes is even better for you.
Vaughn Teegarden
A191 back in the building stage
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