DV window
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Nottingham,UK
DV window
Short and sweet: why is the 'DV' window so called? What does DV stand for? I can think of one or two things, but I'd like to know a definitive answer. You know how these things can pop into your head and bug you. Cheers...
Joined: May 2001
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From: 75N 16E
I vote for 'Direct Vision'...
Although I was just browsing through the Arrow2 POH and it calls it a 'Storm Window'
Do you open it in a storm, close it in a storm, puke out of it in a storm or what?
Makes it easier to close the main door in the air when you realise that you fogot to shut it properly
Cherio
EA
Although I was just browsing through the Arrow2 POH and it calls it a 'Storm Window'
Do you open it in a storm, close it in a storm, puke out of it in a storm or what?Makes it easier to close the main door in the air when you realise that you fogot to shut it properly
Cherio
EA
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 429
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From: West Wiltshire, UK
I used to fly with a chap who always smoked small cigars on the flight deck. I blessed the designer who came up with a DV window that could be opened just a crack and held on the latch, at 150kts. It acted as an excellent extraction system for unwanted (from my perspective) cigar smoke. I suspect had we not had this feature flight deck vis would have soon got pretty "indirect"..........
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: England
I thought it was called a Direct Vision window because you could look through it and land the plane if the windscreen misted or froze up. (thats what my instructor told me) It gives you one more chance of landing if it all goes pears.
Obviously this would require some side slip and craning of the neck in the piper versions. Must try it next time.
Didn't someone who got a windscreen full of oil on take off use it to land the plane at Barton some 10 ish years ago.
I also recall stories of glider pilots getting frozen canopies in flight necessitating the use of the DV panel to land.
Anyway whether or not its true it sounds better than a clear prop window.
Obviously this would require some side slip and craning of the neck in the piper versions. Must try it next time.
Didn't someone who got a windscreen full of oil on take off use it to land the plane at Barton some 10 ish years ago.
I also recall stories of glider pilots getting frozen canopies in flight necessitating the use of the DV panel to land.
Anyway whether or not its true it sounds better than a clear prop window.
PPruNaholic!
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Buckinghamshire
I've usually heard it called a storm window in Piper aircraft, as someone else has said above, and would love to know why!? I've also heard it called DV, and the suggestions that its a "worst case" way to see something outside if the windscreen is obscured for whatever reason... but I think they're having a laugh if they seriously reckon you could successfully fly or, better yet, land an aircraft by peering sideways out of such a small orifice (as the Bishop said to the actress..!)
Andy
Andy
The one nice thing about an unpressurised a/c I suppose...
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 286
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From: South Africa
Uses of a DV window
In larger aircraft . the openable DV window [ Direct Vision ]
consists of a sandwich layer of heavy perspex , so that when
the rest of the aircraft is iced up or descending, clear vision is possible through that window.
Moisture formed between the sandwich layers , is removed by a vial of silica gel crystals.
The DV window is a lot more robust than on a PA28 , as the larger aircraft are pressurised.
consists of a sandwich layer of heavy perspex , so that when
the rest of the aircraft is iced up or descending, clear vision is possible through that window.
Moisture formed between the sandwich layers , is removed by a vial of silica gel crystals.
The DV window is a lot more robust than on a PA28 , as the larger aircraft are pressurised.
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: England
I've just looked in a couple of Pilot's Operating Handbooks:
Piper Seminole: They call it a "Pilot's Storm Window" (I'm not sure what problem it is supposed to cure in a storm)
Mooney: They call it a "Pilot Window"
I always thought DV stood for "Direct Vision" but the logic of this thread now makes me think that "Direct Ventilation" is more likely.
If someone has successfully landed an aircraft while the DV window provided the only outside view, then I'm very impressed.
Piper Seminole: They call it a "Pilot's Storm Window" (I'm not sure what problem it is supposed to cure in a storm)
Mooney: They call it a "Pilot Window"
I always thought DV stood for "Direct Vision" but the logic of this thread now makes me think that "Direct Ventilation" is more likely.
If someone has successfully landed an aircraft while the DV window provided the only outside view, then I'm very impressed.
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bali H'ai
Direct Vision
It may come as a surprise to many of you, that aircraft existed long before the PA 28 was a twinkle in Mr. Pipers eye.
Since the first day of enclosed cockpits there has been a direct vision window for use in seriously inclement weather that affects the pilots forward vision.
Look back to photos of WWII planes, the Lancs, Stirlings et al all had their DV's.
A Spit of course could wind back the canopy.
My 2 cents worth
Sultan Ismail
It may come as a surprise to many of you, that aircraft existed long before the PA 28 was a twinkle in Mr. Pipers eye.
Since the first day of enclosed cockpits there has been a direct vision window for use in seriously inclement weather that affects the pilots forward vision.
Look back to photos of WWII planes, the Lancs, Stirlings et al all had their DV's.
A Spit of course could wind back the canopy.
My 2 cents worth
Sultan Ismail
