Originally Posted by Glueball
...I wouldn't be making an "emergency" descent and be building up more speed with a cracked windshield...
I'm not familiar with the exact nature of static and dynamic loads on the windscreen, however I would assume the forces exerted by the pressure differential are significantly higher than the aerodynamic loading at normal cruise levels. I would think increasing speed (and aerodynamic loading) would actually lower the risk of a cracked windscreen blowing out... Anybody out there who actually has the numbers ?