"Mark James Boyd" wrote in message
news:412d0013$1@darkstar...
In an RV-3, recently an unlatched side opening canopy
ripped off with a loud bang in flight and a friend of mine
lost his glasses with it. 100 knots in the open air
isn't fun.

He landed safely, but said it was exciting.

Katana canopies (clamshell) and side opening canopies
don't sound so great to me.

Yes, they open in front and can not maintain level flight with them open.
I think about three Katanas have been shot down by their canopies. I notice
they turned the canopy around on the 4-seater.

Yep, the L-13 canopy
with self-latch seems pretty good, but for one seaters,
the rear-opening canopy seems like the best.

Without a doubt!

Vaughn