Storm Window
 

What is the "storm window" for on piper aircraft?

I've asked a few instructors and heard a few theories but never had a definitive answer. Can't seem to find out online either.

I understand its also known as a DV (Direct View?)
I'm just a student but it's uses so far are: open it to shout 'clear prop'
plus gives a perfect view for a photo opportunity. Suspect its main use is when the screen visibility is reduced for whatever reason then you can at least have some unrestricted view via the DV window.
I'd be interested to know if I'm right?

Its also called the DV panel or direct vision panel.

If the windscreen freezes up or gets covered in oil you pop the panel open and hey presto you can see the runway.

Also useful for tapping your ash out and if the door opens in flight open the panel to make the door easier to close.

Never heard it called a storm window.

If you try peeing out of it your rear-seat passengers will confirm that it's appropriately named. ;)

I had heard it referred to as a DV panel, but was told it stood for Direct Ventilation so if the main door opens during flight, you open the little window and it makes the main door easier to close because of the pressure.

Not so sure why it's called a storm window, but i've seen in on piper documents so it is an official name. Not sure what help it would be in a storm.

so many uses for a small flap.

1. So you can reach in and turn off the master switch after checking the lights, stall warner and pitot heat and before the battery is too flat to start it on a cold day.

2. So the dwarf sitting in front of the nose wheel not wearing a high vis jacket can hear your 'clear prop' call.

3. To clear the cabin air quickly if you frighten yourself, your instructor or your passenger(s) during a critical phase of the flight.

I know it can be used as an in-flight rubbish disposal :oh:

Mandatory emergency escape, because a Piper only has one door on the RHS.

Gotta remember that the people were a lot smaller on average when Piper designed the PA-28, about halfway through the previous century.

I'd think the connection between 'storm window' and 'direct vision' panel was fairly obvious - a storm's another good way of blocking your natural forward visibility.

Never heard of it called a ventilation panel, but hey. More to the point, I'd not like to try returning to earth if the only 'visual' bit I had was out that tiny hole..

@backpacker - Nice :)

Direct vision panel for 100 knot crosswind component landings with the wind from the right and all other windows iced up.

On Socata TB series the storm window is the little opening window on the port side. Very useful.

You can see it if you click on the TB20 Trinidad image of the link below to load the high res. version of it.
DSC03628s

Its for shooting buzzards, in flight.

Carrying on a practice described in 'Behind the Cockpit Door', by Capt Arthur Whitlock.

I thought it was to give flightsim model designers another part to animate...

Coffee on my keyboard now..ROFL

REALLY? Why did they put it off to the side then?
If you have that much oil on your windscreen (or ice for that matter) in a single you won't make an airport.
My money goes to ventilation on the ground and as a side effect it slightly less difficult to close the door in flight. Don't ask me how I know.

If you are ever unfortunate enough to experience smoke in the cockpit whilst airbourne you will soon discover what that little window is for.

VFE.

I though the DV was for firing flares out of at Mach one as in Airport 79 or 80, the one with the Concorde in. :}

Try flying in France in the middle of summer and you'll be grateful for any extra cool air.

Open it in flight and the aircraft will yaw slightly to the right.

No. We don't do that, not in a car/boat/plane etc.

odd position for an emergency potty......