Fitted canopy frame to the fuselage by sanding off the edge of the frame until it fits with the right clearances. the frame seats against the rubber canopy seal. This is the important dimension. Sand enough frame away until it will compress the rubber seal. Also important is the offset from the fuselage. The outside of the frame receives a fiberglass covering to make it flush with the fuselage. This is why the wooden spacers are important. I also used popsicle sticks to get the correct clearance with the fuselage.
The manual doesn't say anything (unless I missed it somewhere) about the frame seating against the rubber frame. Maybe that should be understood, but this first time airplane builder didn't forsee that. I just focused on the outside clearance with the fuselage. I've since gone back to remove additional frame edge to drop the top part of the frame to meet the rubber seal, but can't remove enough. Looks like I'll need to add some mass to the inside of my frame to create an air tight seal with the rubber. By top, I mean the top/back of the canopy where it meets the canopy handle. That's the beauty of a composite airplane. You can always make things bigger (but heavier) by adding more fiberglass.
Popsicle sticks used to set clearance
Fits pretty well. Canopy and foam will add rigidity.
