Military Trainer
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 2838; Flight Crew Type 242
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Human Factors
After lifting off Runway XX; I retracted the gear; allowed the aircraft to accelerate to 120 knots and was about to retract the takeoff flaps setting. The Tower cleared me to a right turn for my westerly heading; when suddenly there was a loud noise and a strong rush of air as the canopy departed. I looked at my ground position and airspeed. I added power called the Tower and informed them of the situation and asked to return. I continued climbing to pattern altitude. Tower cleared me to land. I waited until my base turn to lower the gear. On short final I added full flaps. I kept the airspeed about 10 knots higher than normal (100 knots). Landed and taxied to hanger. Ground Control informed me that someone saw the canopy land not far from the end of the runway. I retrieved the canopy which landed in the dirt. No objects or persons were hit. I debriefed with Tower personnel and Airport Manager. Because of aircraft behind me [which were ready] to go; I rushed my final prep for takeoff and did not lock the canopy. I cannot tell you that after XX years and thousands of hours of flying many aircraft how I could have made such a mistake. I am ashamed of myself. I plan on making a checklist that you have to check off each box before moving on; and continue going to safety seminars as I had for years.
Pilot flying jet trainer reports canopy departed after takeoff.