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Has anyone flight tested any of the Sonex models without a canopy, particularly a ONEX, and if so what were the results?
Surfly

surfly wrote:Has anyone flight tested any of the Sonex models without a canopy, particularly a ONEX, and if so what were the results?
Surfly

This question has been asked before (at least in regards to the Sonex) and I remember reading somewhere that the official factory response is that it is not possible.
The aerodynamics just would not work anymore.

There has been at least one instance in the dim dark past where a Sonex had an inflight canopy fail, resulting on most of the canopy departing the aircraft. Cannot remember what caused it to fail.
From memory the pilot reported the extra drag made the aircraft difficult to control and maintain straight and level.
Although he was injured and lost his eyeglasses, he was able to land.

I have lost my canopy in flight. Got about 20' up on take off. Canopy disintegrated. Only the twisted frame remained. The "fly the airplane" cliché is very appropriate here. It is flyable. Cut power and landed without further issues. Felt stupid for forgetting to secure the canopy.

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Appreciate your honesty rbarber

rbarber wrote:I have lost my canopy in flight. Got about 20' up on take off. Canopy disintegrated. Only the twisted frame remained. The "fly the airplane" cliché is very appropriate here. It is flyable. Cut power and landed without further issues. Felt stupid for forgetting to secure the canopy.

Just how many canopies have you broken? :D

My canopy history goes as follows:

initial canopy installed with a small crack. Screws came out and I tried ti secure them with a bit of loktite. Bad Idea, Cracks the canopy like crazy. Replace the "still usuable" canopy with a new one. At KOSH one year (Sloshkosh), I need to apply a lot of power to get through the ditch, and the canopy got away from me and bent the frame. Canopy was OK. Fixed the frame, and on route to Alaska, I left the canopy closed but unlatched in Kansas for lunch and when I returned it had been ripped off and found more than 100 yards down wind in a ditch. I repaired it and flew for another 6 months. The aforementioned incident happened. Put the original canopy back on, until I replaced it with my slide back canopy. Still flying. I So, I suppose I have only replaced two, with one somewhat voluntary.

Does that help?

R.
N157SX (Sexy Hexy)

rbarber wrote:My canopy history goes as follows:

initial canopy installed with a small crack. Screws came out and I tried ti secure them with a bit of loktite. Bad Idea, Cracks the canopy like crazy. Replace the "still usuable" canopy with a new one. At KOSH one year (Sloshkosh), I need to apply a lot of power to get through the ditch, and the canopy got away from me and bent the frame. Canopy was OK. Fixed the frame, and on route to Alaska, I left the canopy closed but unlatched in Kansas for lunch and when I returned it had been ripped off and found more than 100 yards down wind in a ditch. I repaired it and flew for another 6 months. The aforementioned incident happened. Put the original canopy back on, until I replaced it with my slide back canopy. Still flying. I So, I suppose I have only replaced two, with one somewhat voluntary.

Does that help?

R.
N157SX (Sexy Hexy)

I remembered your Alaska story and just figured I'd bust your chops. I think Sloshkosh was the year my Gen gave out on the 170. I spent a good part of the week I was there trying to locate/rebuild/replace/install the thing. Jimmie said you were his guru on all the Sonex stuff. Guessing you're a canopy expert too. Hope to get #600 sorted out soon but she is proving to be stubborn since she came to me.