Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

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Ohjymy
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Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by Ohjymy »

I fly over water a lot. Does anyone have knowledge of where best to strike inside the canopy with the “tool” to effect an egress as quickly as possible? My assumption is the tool strike will yield a shear line of some length and then I will use my feet to break a hole or holes to escape? Maybe near the left or right venting small windows?
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Pascal
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by Pascal »

I don't know the answer to your question.

Here are my thoughts about the little orange hammer. It is meant to be used in case the canopy locking mechanism does not work for some reason after impact.

In the event of ditching, you will probably end up upside down. The first order of business will be to detach the safety belts. Next in line will be open the canopy and egress to the surface.

First try to open the canopy as you usually do. In water, it might be difficult to do until there is sufficient water inside the cockpit to relieve the pressure holding the canopy shut. Someone mentioned that they tried breaking the canopy by practicing on an old, unairworthy canopy and it was hard. I'll try to dig the reference for you.
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Ohjymy
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by Ohjymy »

Pascal. Thanks. I asked Diamond London the question. They referred me to the canopy mfgr in Switzerland. No reply to my several inquiries. I tried striking a flat sheet of plexiglas in the center of the sheet with the hammer and it yielded only a 6” shear-break propagation. Leads me to think it best to start near the vent cutouts? Maybe a better chance of longer breaks followed by kicking would open a hole? Your thoughts? PS - the question came during my last biennial: asked by my CFI how to break out if underwater using the “tool”? I don’t think I ever felt so dumb! I had never even thought about it!
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Pascal
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by Pascal »

Good idea. First try to create and propagate a crack starting from one of the windows, then kick the shit out of the canopy to create an opening large enough to get out.
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by YCCA »

If I was flying dual, I would unlatch my side and brief the pax to unlock their side when all motion stopped.. If I was alone, I would unlatch right side and do the same.. I can’t even imagine having to use that tool to egress, upside down in the water
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Ohjymy
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by Ohjymy »

Me neither! But my CFI could, and he’s about the best there is! Really some very good advice I’m getting from both you YCCA & Pascal. Thanks.
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by Spinner »

This was a similar discussion

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5707

having seen the damage that the little orange hammer does or didn't do, I would recommend getting a crash axe of sorts to aid in escape. In a pinch the control lock works better than the little hammer.

Paul
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by RMarkSampson »

Paul,
Being also a FL flyer - I'm thinking my Concealed Carry Permit being the best way ahead. I also grew up in Texas...


Goes to show you that not all advice on this website is good...
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by Spinner »

RMarkSampson wrote: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:45 am Paul,
Being also a FL flyer - I'm thinking my Concealed Carry Permit being the best way ahead. I also grew up in Texas...


Goes to show you that not all advice on this website is good...
:)
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Re: Emergency escape - how to break Canopy?

Post by Pascal »

Bryan posted an interesting video about the little orange hammer, in his usual style:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... xFRhJoCZTg
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