Fred,
Following a spate of "Unplanned" door departures in flight on some of
the earlier Europas, the factory carried out some tests, flying with
both doors removed.
Far from planting the pilot at the bottom a smoking hole, the flights
were reported as being "quite pleasant". I seem to recall it being
described as the "Europa Cabriolet" by test pilot Andy Draper.
These tests were only intended to confirm the safe flying
characteristics in the event of a loss of door in flight and it was
never intended to promote the deliberate removal of doors.
Nigel
----- Original Message -----
From: Fred Fillinger <fillinger@ameritech.net>
Subject: Re: Going top-less
> Unless someone else has tried it, feel free to be the test pilot --
> that'll be an awful big hole creating enormous drag, and huge "vortex
> streets" tossed back at the tail. Might still be controllable. :)
>
> My Grumman AA-5 allows only 10" of (sliding) canopy opening in flight,
> and since there's still 3 ft. of canopy track for integrity, I assume
> the reason is aerodynamic. It's cool to do that, but to give an idea
> of the aerodynamic upset involved at just that gap: If you've
> recently lubed the canopy track, it won't stay open. If you haven't,
> watch out. That canopy will snap closed with a vengeance at a random
> moment. You don't want your fingers draped around the canopy bow,
> like in the old days when cars had quarter windows. It hurts!
>
> Regards,
> Fred F., A063
>
> Nic wrote:
> >
> > Oh - by the way,
> > Has there been any interest in flyng w/ the doors removed?
> > Touring around at 70 knots might be, somehow, enjoyable.
> > Kinda like t-tops on my old 300 zx.
> > I'll only ask this once, I promise. hahahahah
> >
> > Really trying to start building-
> > Nic.
> > xs-145
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