Canopy window vent latch broke

SlowFlight · Post by **SlowFlight** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 7:22 pm

Success story: after my last annual, Stuart Dillon gave me a sack of replacement window latches for the small window vents in the canopy. On my way home from Osh, I went to shut the window at run up and the plastic tab on the latch broke. Taxied in and fortunately had that sack of replacement latches in my storage bin in the back of the plane and removed and replaced it.

That was an eye opener for me ... that such a cheap part could make for a very slow ride home (or no ride at all).

Keep a couple of these in your plane.

Joey · Post by **Joey** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 1:07 am

Stuart Dillon still has the latches for those who need them. He's in Greenville NC at KPGV.
The window will stay shut even without the latch due to the pressure differential of the cockpit v outside airstream. Its a tad noisy on the takeoff however....

SlowFlight · Post by **SlowFlight** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 1:10 am

Joey wrote: The window will stay shut even without the latch due to the pressure differential of the cockpit v outside airstream. Its a tad noisy on the takeoff however....

Good to know (and makes sense). Thanks!

eHotAir · Post by **eHotAir** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 1:14 am

Do you have his number or email? Those are very hard to find.

SlowFlight · Post by **SlowFlight** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 1:17 am

eHotAir wrote:Do you have his number or email? Those are very hard to find.

Email his boss (wife, allison@dillonsaviation.com) and she'll help out.

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:45 am

If this thing breaks it is hardly a catastrophe that prevent you from flying. The first one I broke I crammed some folded paper in the gap to hold it closed on the ground. In flight it isn't an issue. It'll stay closed. If you open it in flight you will not crash and die.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 1:17 am

Rich wrote:If this thing breaks it is hardly a catastrophe that prevent you from flying. The first one I broke I crammed some folded paper in the gap to hold it closed on the ground. In flight it isn't an issue. It'll stay closed. If you open it in flight you will not crash and die.

So true. I routinely open the pilot side vent to shoot photos, avoiding that ugly reflected glare from the canopy. Makes it noisy in the cockpit for a minute, that's about all...

Steve

eHotAir · Post by **eHotAir** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 1:31 am

Mine haven't broken yet. But I have heard sometimes they are fragile. And I agree, it's not a huge deal.

LTek1 · Post by **LTek1** » Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:13 pm

For whatever impact it'll have, I have "Window latches: Fragile" in my passenger briefing.

Kai · Post by **Kai** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 5:37 am

Just a quick reminder to the donors of DAN: if you have donated this year and still haven't received the unbreakable, everlasting, heavy-duty, home-milled, CG-shifting window latches

:

Please, send me your address and I will ship a set of the ones I produced, obviously free of charge.

Canopy window vent latch broke

Canopy window vent latch broke

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