Storm Windows
 

Why is a storm window so called.

I only use it for shouting out of and very poor ventilation.

Cant see the connection with the storm

Anybody??

Open a big window when it is fine and beaut.

Open a little window in a storm - to avoid getting wet!

Every time a storm comes you have to run out to the aircraft to shut the mongrel thing cause you left it open...!! :eek:

One certain YPJT operator silicone's his shut!!! :D

I believe the "storm window" dates back the time of DC3 and such. When flying through stormy or icy conditions, the front windows of said aeroplane would become very hard to see though due to build up of ice or rain. The pilots could then open the side window in order to see though when the vis got really bad (The side window on a DC3 is much larger that that of a light GA aircraft). Hence the side opening window became know as the "storm window".

A great place to eject your chewie once it has lost all of its flavour.

Many old British designed aircraft were equipped with storm windows. The Lancaster/ Lincoln series had them as well as the American DC4 and DC3. In blinding heavy rain when the wipers were useless (or u/s) the storm window (which was either part of the main windshield or just an aperture)could be opened by means of a gnurled knob or screw, and the window either opened inward, or slid along a rail.

Due perhaps to the vagaries of airflow past the main windscreen, there was very little air blast - just lots of noise.
But the view improved dramatically.

I had occasions when opening the storm window to get a clear shot at the runway in heavy tropical rain, was the only way to land. I could never understand why light twins such as the Baron, Navajo, Seneca etc never had a storm window as part of the windshield, particularly as for some strange illogical reason they were not fitted with wipers. And please don't tell me that the curvature of the windshield was such that the rain just fell off. Not in my experience, anyway.

Storm Window, also called a DV Window ( direct vision). They come in handy when you hit a bird in a twin, evan more handy when trying to land a single after a prop seal has let go and all the black stuff is on the screen and side window

In the Piper sort of storm window its also very good to throw up thru after a hard night as it seals your face and nothing comes back into the aircraft. :o

[ 31 August 2001: Message edited by: agcatman ]

I seem to remember the story of the DC3 approaching Essendon in the good old days.
Said the flight was as good as finished and threw the flight plan out the Storm (DV)window.
Trouble was it went into the oil cooler and the engine oil temp became a real problem.
I think he might have had to feather it.??
Another of the same ilk had his flight plan forwarded to the airline by mail from a good citizen who had picked it up off the ground. :p

I can recal being rendered speechless with laughter on hearing a story about a (military?) guy perusing his packed lunch of sandwiches during the take off roll.

As they were not appealing, he hoiked them out of storm window and they became lodged in the number one engine air intake (radial)(Caribou?). :eek: