Side-mounted canopy -- Prevent blowing shut?

[V1]

I have a side-mounted canopy (Ventus 2). I'm concerned that a gust of
wind could blow it shut when it's in the open position, breaking or
damaging the canopy.

I could close it every time I walk away for a minute or two, but
sooner or later I tend to forget and leave it open. I've thought about
several ways to hold it open without undue stress on the hinges or
canopy, but I have to assume someone else has probably solved this
problem and proved through actual use a simple method what works.

I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a good solution.
Thanks,

- Frank Allen

[toad]

On Sep 5, 3:37*pm, V1 > wrote:
> I have a side-mounted canopy (Ventus 2). I'm concerned that a gust of
> wind could blow it shut when it's in the open position, breaking or
> damaging the canopy.
>
> I could close it every time I walk away for a minute or two, but
> sooner or later I tend to forget and leave it open. I've thought about
> several ways to hold it open without undue stress on the hinges or
> canopy, but I have to assume someone else has probably solved this
> problem and proved through actual use a simple method what works.
>
> I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a good solution.
> Thanks,
>
> - Frank Allen

You already know the good solution, but have dismissed it as too much
work.

Close the canopy whenever you are not actually working on something in
the cockpit. Make it a physical habit, no memory required.

Todd
3S

[Brian Bange[_2_]]

I stuff a soft cushion under the retaining cable, half in and half out of
the canopy behind the rear hinge, and then only for a minute or two. So
far that has worked fine for me.
Brian

At 19:37 05 September 2008, V1 wrote:
>I have a side-mounted canopy (Ventus 2). I'm concerned that a gust of
>wind could blow it shut when it's in the open position, breaking or
>damaging the canopy.
>
>I could close it every time I walk away for a minute or two, but
>sooner or later I tend to forget and leave it open. I've thought about
>several ways to hold it open without undue stress on the hinges or
>canopy, but I have to assume someone else has probably solved this
>problem and proved through actual use a simple method what works.
>
>I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a good solution.
>Thanks,
>
>- Frank Allen
>

[Paul Remde]

Hi Frank,

If you are leaving it open in an attempt to keep the cockpit temperature
down, then you may want to consider getting a Canopy Cap. They have been
extremely popular.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/canopycap.htm

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde

"V1" > wrote in message
...
>I have a side-mounted canopy (Ventus 2). I'm concerned that a gust of
> wind could blow it shut when it's in the open position, breaking or
> damaging the canopy.
>
> I could close it every time I walk away for a minute or two, but
> sooner or later I tend to forget and leave it open. I've thought about
> several ways to hold it open without undue stress on the hinges or
> canopy, but I have to assume someone else has probably solved this
> problem and proved through actual use a simple method what works.
>
> I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a good solution.
> Thanks,
>
> - Frank Allen

[Richard[_1_]]

On Sep 5, 12:37*pm, V1 > wrote:
> I have a side-mounted canopy (Ventus 2). I'm concerned that a gust of
> wind could blow it shut when it's in the open position, breaking or
> damaging the canopy.
>
> I could close it every time I walk away for a minute or two, but
> sooner or later I tend to forget and leave it open. I've thought about
> several ways to hold it open without undue stress on the hinges or
> canopy, but I have to assume someone else has probably solved this
> problem and proved through actual use a simple method what works.
>
> I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a good solution.
> Thanks,
>
> - Frank Allen

Frank,

More serious than leaving the canopy open is closing and not locking
it and leaving the vent window open. It will pressurize with a large
gust, open and rip one or more of the hinges off.

You can guess how I know this,

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

[Tony Clark]

On 5th September 2008, V1 wrote:-

> "I could close it every time I walk away for a minute > or two, but
sooner or later I tend to forget and leave
> it open".
>
> "I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a
> good solution".

> Thanks,
>
> Frank Allen



Sure did find a good solution with the "sooner or later forgetting"
problem Frank! It's called 'being a club member'! If I am flying a club
glider and walk away from the cockpit without closing the canopy I get my
"arse kicked all round the field" by a club instructor!

This technique does wonders for "the memory problem" and ensures that
"the closing while unattended habit" is carried over for when I'm
flying a 'private' glider!

Regards


Tony (aka pilot extraordinaire)

[Tony Clark]

On 5th September 2008, V1 wrote:-

> "I could close it every time I walk away for a minute > or two, but
sooner or later I tend to forget and leave
> it open".
>
> "I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a
> good solution".

> Thanks,
>
> Frank Allen



Sure did find a good solution with the "sooner or later forgetting"
problem Frank! It's called 'being a club member'! If I am flying a club
glider and walk away from the cockpit without closing the canopy I get my
"arse kicked all round the field" by a club instructor!

This technique does wonders for "the memory problem" and ensures that
"the closing while unattended habit" is carried over for when I'm
flying a 'private' glider!

Regards


Tony (aka pilot extraordinaire)

[bikensoar]

On Sep 5, 1:49*pm, "Paul Remde" > wrote:
> Hi Frank,
>
> If you are leaving it open in an attempt to keep the cockpit temperature
> down, then you may want to consider getting a Canopy Cap. *They have been
> extremely popular.http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/canopycap.htm
>
> Good Soaring,
>
> Paul Remde
>
> "V1" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
>
>
> >I have a side-mounted canopy (Ventus 2). I'm concerned that a gust of
> > wind could blow it shut when it's in the open position, breaking or
> > damaging the canopy.
>
> > I could close it every time I walk away for a minute or two, but
> > sooner or later I tend to forget and leave it open. I've thought about
> > several ways to hold it open without undue stress on the hinges or
> > canopy, but I have to assume someone else has probably solved this
> > problem and proved through actual use a simple method what works.
>
> > I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a good solution.
> > Thanks,
>
> > - Frank Allen- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Unfortuately the canopy cap is not yet available for side opening
canopies.

[[email protected]]

On Sep 5, 11:42*pm, bikensoar > wrote:
> On Sep 5, 1:49*pm, "Paul Remde" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hi Frank,
>
> > If you are leaving it open in an attempt to keep the cockpit temperature
> > down, then you may want to consider getting a Canopy Cap. *They have been
> > extremely popular.http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/canopycap.htm
>
> > Good Soaring,
>
> > Paul Remde
>
> > "V1" > wrote in message
>
> ....
>
> > >I have a side-mounted canopy (Ventus 2). I'm concerned that a gust of
> > > wind could blow it shut when it's in the open position, breaking or
> > > damaging the canopy.
>
> > > I could close it every time I walk away for a minute or two, but
> > > sooner or later I tend to forget and leave it open. I've thought about
> > > several ways to hold it open without undue stress on the hinges or
> > > canopy, but I have to assume someone else has probably solved this
> > > problem and proved through actual use a simple method what works.
>
> > > I'd like hear from anyone who has come up with a good solution.
> > > Thanks,
>
> > > - Frank Allen- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Unfortuately the canopy cap is not yet available for side opening
> canopies.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

The Canopy Cap for side mounted canopies has been available for about
a year now.
There are patterns for Schempp-Hirth A and B fuselages including
Discus and Discus 2, Ventus and Ventus 2,
Nimbus 2 and 3. Check with your favorite soaring supplier.

[V1]

Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions. I'm seeing that it's
even more critical to close AND lock than I had considered - a great
tip from Richard (the voice of expensive experience).

- Frank

On Sep 5, 7:04*pm, Richard > wrote:
> More serious than leaving the canopy open is closing and not locking
> it and leaving the vent window open. *It will pressurize with a large
> gust, * open and rip one or more of the hinges off.
>
> You can guess how I know this,
>
> Richardwww.craggyaero.com

[John Galloway[_1_]]

At 01:07 10 September 2008, V1 wrote:
>Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions. I'm seeing that it's
>even more critical to close AND lock than I had considered - a great
>tip from Richard (the voice of expensive experience).
>
>- Frank
>
If your Ventus has a lifting panel then raise the panel every time you
open the canopy. You might get some minor damage to your instrument
cowling (or, in my case, lose the PDA) but it should save the canopy.

John Galloway

[Ian[_2_]]

On Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:37:40 -0700, V1 wrote:

> I have a side-mounted canopy (Ventus 2). I'm concerned that a gust of
> wind could blow it shut when it's in the open position, breaking or
> damaging the canopy.

Our club operates from an airfield that regularly experiences fresh to
strong winds.

Club policy is to stage gliders with side hinged canopies at the flight
line such that the prevailing wind will blow the canopy open. Ie these
gliders are staged on the side of the runway either nose facing the
runway, or tail facing the runway, depending on the direction of the
prevailing wind (which goes with the end we are launching from). This is
so that they don't slam shut, damaging equipment and people, when the
pilots are climbing in or out.

The rest of the time canopies must be closed and locked. Even when the
wind is not blowing.

Ian

[Big Wings]

I bought a canopy cover from
http://www.wingsandwheels.com/page38.htm
The Platinum cover has a version for side lifting canopies. It fits my
Discus2c.


At 15:10 10 September 2008, John Galloway wrote:
>At 01:07 10 September 2008, V1 wrote:
>>Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions. I'm seeing that it's
>>even more critical to close AND lock than I had considered - a great
>>tip from Richard (the voice of expensive experience).
>>
>>- Frank
>>
>If your Ventus has a lifting panel then raise the panel every time you
>open the canopy. You might get some minor damage to your instrument
>cowling (or, in my case, lose the PDA) but it should save the canopy.
>
>John Galloway
>