Aircraft canopy

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An aircraft canopy is the transparent enclosure over the cockpit of some types of aircraft. The function of the canopy is to provide a weatherproof and reasonably quiet environment for the aircraft's occupants. The canopy will be as aerodynamically shaped as possible to minimize drag.

In World War II, the bubble canopy appeared which gave better all-round visibility.

In the 1970s, US aviation artist Keith Ferris invented a false canopy to paint on the underside of military aircraft, directly underneath the front of the plane, the purpose of which was to confuse an enemy so they do not know in what direction the aircraft is headed. This ruse was inspired by animals and fishes that have similar markings on the head and tail, so they can confuse other creatures. Pilots remain skeptical of this feature, asserting that if the enemy is close enough to see the marking, they are too close to be fooled by it.

The term canopy is not used for the cockpit windows of an airliner.

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Hawker Hurricane with canopy slid to rear.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II with painted "false canopy" underneath the front of the plane behind the GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon.

The low drag canopy of an Extra 300 aerobatic light aircraft.

A Rolladen-Schneider LS-3 glider with an open forward hinged canopy.