In the event that extra latches will be needed to keep the canopy down in flight, I've added 4 hardpoints where 2 butterfly latches will be installed. I went ahead with #8 hardware and threaded brass inserts that I've used throughout. It's been told to me that almost 400lbs of upward force will be pulling up on the canopy at 200kts so it's important to note that each butterfly latch will take 300lbs of force. This of course means that I have well overbuilt the canopy at this point. I've also taken a different path than suggested on canopy latch location. I was told that spreading the load evenly over the length of the canopy frame is important, and while I agree with the idea, I don't agree with the physics. The canopy acts much like an airfoil in flight due to its shape, and this also means that there will be a location where the Center of Lift is the strongest. Well if you compare the canopy to a similar airfoil, it becomes obvious that the center of lift is located within the first 25% of the chord. This means that the vast majority of upwards force will be exerted up front. This gives me a really nice advantage as I can now locate all 4 latches up front with me.
