My Legacy open canopy story

On a hot summer day in 2006 at Sierra Sky Park airport in Fresno California I taxied to runway 30 (2473ft. X 50ft) with my canopy open resting on my arm. When I taxied on to the runway I did not push up on the canopy to check that it is latched (I do now). When I rotated at about 80kts I was startled by the sudden noise and wind of the canopy coming open about 3 inches at the rear edge. I knew could not stop on the remaining runway so I continued with a normal takeoff. I left the flaps at 10 deg. climbed at 120kts to 1,000 ft agl and trimmed the plane for level flight (I do not have an autopilot). I than put my hands on the trailing edge of the canopy frame and tried to move it(it had been in a stable open position so far). I could close it about 1 inch and open it about 1inch further but that was as far as I could move it. At this point I decided to return to land, I flew a normal pattern, as I flared for landing the canopy opened another 2 inches. Throughout the flight the canopy never oscillated or affected the control of the aircraft. 

 Scott Alair

L2K-167

First flight April 2004 

700+ Hours Legacy time 

 Posted for Scott Alair:

John, I left my gear down throughout my open canopy flight to make it less likely to exceed 120Kts to minimize the slipstream forces on the canopy. I was afraid the canopy might be torn loose from the fuselage and also by leaving the gear down it was one less thing to worry about.

Scott Alair