Canopy Latch Mechanism

PIREP from Kevin Ross

Herman Gordon of Houston, TX reported the following:

    The canopy popped open on final with no bad effect.  I have installed a
    spring loaded "hook" over the canopy control knob to keep it closed.

PIREP Submitted by Kevin D. Ross

I built and fly Moni s/n 011, N87KR. I first flew it on 7 March 1987 and have 100 hrs to date. I have found the Moni to be a reliable aircraft but feel that there are one or two things that other builders/pilots need to be aware of.

First and foremost in my mind is the canopy latching mechanism. I had my canopy open 180 degrees on me shortly after takeoff and at about 300' AGL and 70 mph IAS. The lanyard that is supposed to keep it from opening too widely snapped and the top of the canopy was literally laying on the right wing root. It is of utmost importance to convey to _other Moni pilots that when this happens that the aircraft remained completely controllable and continued to fly. After retrimming I was able to reach out with both hands and pulled the canopy closed and latched. DON'T RELINQUISH AIRCRAFT CONTROL IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU, FLY THE AIRCRAFT FIRST AND LAST!! I speculate that most accidents caused by opening canopies are caused by a failure to fly the aircraft first. Please note that I did have a Vari-eze type safety latch on my canopy when it opted to open, but when I needed it most it did not work. After landing the safety latch worked great as advertised. I think that with the flexibility of the Moni's canopy frame this type of safety latch is ineffective and a much more positive locking device is vitally important.

On a more positive note, I think that the Moni is a joy to fly. I have flown throughout Oklahoma, into Texas and Kansas. I took one cross-country that was 700 statute miles round trip. I carry spare oil in measured out quantities in a plastic bottle marked for each gallon of fuel. For example, if I put 2 gallons of fuel in the fuel tank, I simply pour two marks of oil into the tank from my premarked plastic bottle, then I stir it, yes, in the tank with a wooden spoon that I keep in the floor board. By the way, I have never flown on any oil Penzoil 50:1 outboard motor oil (2 cycle) mixed 40:1 and have never had any engine problems at all. I am also flying behind the old diaphragm carburetor uneventfully.

The Moni does what it was designed to do very well. It is a good day VFR recreational aircraft. If any builder or pilot has any questions of any nature I would be more than glad to hear from them.

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