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Re: Improving the pilot's field of view 11 Dec 2013 01:35 #650

Phil, All,
I really don't think you change the weight distribution much, if anything you may be shifting it aft a tad, which by all accounts is good (especially in the case of the fat dragon). I think it simplifies the canopy as well. The shift vertically don't mean much to the handling (lots of low-winged aircraft out there, and the CD had long wings and lots of authority for control).

I made a folder with a few pics of the Woodstock, a close relative of the CD (same designer). The seating position is a bit higher with more visibility. I think in the case of the CD, the position was shifted down primarily, or so I would guess, to accommodate the foot launch. If one admits foot launching a 145# aircraft is probably not the best or easiest idea, then maybe shifting the pilot up isn't such a bad deal...?

--- In This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., "Philip Lardner" wrote:
>
> Yup - the pilot's head rest is velcroed to the front surface of the spar,
> protecting his head from bashing off the root-end metal fittings!
>
> Not sure I'd lower the wings by much as this would raise the centre of
> gravity and possibly alter the handling.
>
> I've also been investigating methods of forming clear plexiglass /
> polycarbonate into compound shapes and reckon it should be possible to form
> the clear canopy out of a single piece, and thus get rid of the hoop just in
> front of the pilot. I'm also considering attaching the canopy to the front
> of the fuselage and using a light weight gas-spring to keep it open on the
> ground - as used in bigger sailplanes.
>
> All just ideas for now!
>
> Phil.

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