Bean-Counting solution for solving problem of forward viz in fire situation
Here's a napkin analysis for actually addressing this problem :
the numbers are approximate, but maybe not unreasonable vs actual:
(assumes various commercial products now available, including those discussed at the beginning of this thread)
Cockpit Smoke-Obscuration protection for the Entire Global Commercial Jet fleet:
Approximate number of turbine Air-Transport aircraft in use around the world : 10,000
Approximate est cost for installation/use life of inflatable smoke-through visibility package for panel and forward view windows :
New installations (in quantity) & 5 yrs support : US$ 25,000 /ac
Sustaining cost for existing installations - addnl 5-yr : US$ 12,000 /ac
So:
Cost for the first 5 years (50,000 aircraft-years) = $250 Million
Cost for each successive 5 years (50,000 aircraft-years) = $120 Million
10-yr cost for solving this problem for the entire global fleet = $370 Million
Nominal cost est for ONE aircraft lost - Passenger -Freight a/c median case = $400 Million
The numbers, even if you find a way to double the cost, are very persuasive. Surely some of those financial geniuses that can sell the same city block 5 or ten times over at half a billion $ a throw can help solve this well-bounded but very important problem? Sell bonds? Ticket Tax? Carriers pay? Crews pay out-of-pocket?? Which will it be?
Solvable problem - time to act appropriately.