Lynn,
  The Lancair test pilot that bailed out was flying a Columbia which had a spin chute that wouldn't release.  The plane was floating down under the chute with plenty of altitude, allowing the pilot to easily open the door and exit the airplane.  I don't think this would be so simple if the plane were at flying speed or spinning and I have no idea how anyone with a forward hinged canopy could get it open with any airspeed over it unless they built in the capability to jettison it.
  Skip Slater
  N540ES