I agree with everyone that a forward hinged canopy is safest and a better idea for several other reasons (although a rear-sliding canopy is probably even better). Mine is side-hinged but I've never had any incidents with it. One reason perhaps is I have a printed question on the lip of the panel right in front of my eyes that says "Canopy Locked?" I don't like written check lists so I ignore that question, even though I printed it out and put it there, but just in case I ever do forget to lock the canopy before takeoff I have a neato piece of thin, flexible aluminum than dangles down from the canopy frame, It curves inward on the bottom and has a slot in the center that slides down over a screw on the longeron. I think a lot of KR's probably have the same thing - it wasn't my idea . . . came with the plane. After unlatching the canopy I have to manually pull this piece inward so it will clear the screw so I can raise the canopy. It seems to be a foolproof back-up against taking off with an unlatched canopy. It's very simple and effective.
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