Boeing aircraft "eyebrow" windows
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 960
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From: Brisbane, Australia
Hi all,
On the military versions of the B737, for AEW&C and MMA, the eyebrow windows will be used during the maneuvering for air-to-air refueling, though when the airplane is approaching and in the correct position, the pilot can see the line-up points and fuel boom through his main #1 window.
The eyebrow windows are needed to increase visual coverage to suit any eventually.
FD
On the military versions of the B737, for AEW&C and MMA, the eyebrow windows will be used during the maneuvering for air-to-air refueling, though when the airplane is approaching and in the correct position, the pilot can see the line-up points and fuel boom through his main #1 window.
The eyebrow windows are needed to increase visual coverage to suit any eventually.
FD
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 117
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From: Disneyland
Here's another take.
During the original certification of 727 (late 50s??), they have to have so much "window" area in the cockpit and to widen the existing cockpit would have weaken the structure so they put the little windows in. Hence the "combined" window areas would meet and pass the certification requirements. They did away with that when 747 came around.
Heard it from some engineer a long time ago so don't quote me on it.
Probably the same folks that put the stupid little mirror in the 747 cockpit so that you can see the flap position from the left seat, albeit upside down.
During the original certification of 727 (late 50s??), they have to have so much "window" area in the cockpit and to widen the existing cockpit would have weaken the structure so they put the little windows in. Hence the "combined" window areas would meet and pass the certification requirements. They did away with that when 747 came around.
Heard it from some engineer a long time ago so don't quote me on it.
Probably the same folks that put the stupid little mirror in the 747 cockpit so that you can see the flap position from the left seat, albeit upside down.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 190
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From: uk
Firstly i must apologise in advance for posting slightly off topic and i dont want to nick the thread, but whilst there are so many 737 experts out there,i want to ask "Why do 737,s seem to crab whilst taxiing"? Serious question im starting a course soon.
PS I have heard all the jokes!!
PS I have heard all the jokes!!
Joined: May 2003
Aviation Qualifications: Aircrew (non-pilot)
Posts: 282
Likes: 1
From: Ireland
Eyebrow windows very useful lookout if you are on the outside of the bend during a circling approach.
Wasn't there a long running thread on crabbing 737s a while back?
Quidnunc came up with "The main wheels have 2 - 3 degrees left/right play in them, so if the a/c lands in a cross wind the mains may be out at their limit. When taxying it then appears that the a/c is crabbing. The wheels are straight straight down the taxy way, but the fuselage looks (and is) a couple of degrees out of alignment."
Sounds feasible
Wasn't there a long running thread on crabbing 737s a while back?
Quidnunc came up with "The main wheels have 2 - 3 degrees left/right play in them, so if the a/c lands in a cross wind the mains may be out at their limit. When taxying it then appears that the a/c is crabbing. The wheels are straight straight down the taxy way, but the fuselage looks (and is) a couple of degrees out of alignment."
Sounds feasible
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 942
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From: Thailand
look out!
Bearing in mind that the B707 was initially produced and designed as a military aircraft it is hardly surprising that the windows were installed there. Future plans for AtoA refuelling would have been extremely costly if they had to put the windows in later. 727, 737 etc. are just inheritors of the original design. Simple really!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 323
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From: Manchester
I was told that the No's 4 +5 windows were fitted to the origanal kc135 to allow the Pilot's to see the lower fuselage markings/lights on the tanker aircraft during flight refueling. As the forward fuselage on the Kc-135, 707, 720, 727 and 737 is basicaly the same, they were left in.
On a personal note they are a pain in the ar*e to change and should have been removed a long time ago!
Rgds Dr.I.
On a personal note they are a pain in the ar*e to change and should have been removed a long time ago!
Rgds Dr.I.
Joined: Feb 2002
Aviation Qualifications: AME
Posts: 4,182
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From: UK
nitefiter.
The previous threads on this crabbing lark are not quite right.
The crab effect IS due to the main gear having a couple of degrees of play in them due to the shimmy dampers.
However my understanding is that the dampers are there to stop the shimmy, not to allow crosswind landings.
If the dampers have leaked fluid or are not bled correctly then the aircraft shimmys quite badly.
A regular nightshift job in the rain that one- bleeding the shimmy dampers! 
Back to the thread..
I thought the 757 fuselage was also based on the 727. Were the eybrow windows removed then for the glass cockpit?
The previous threads on this crabbing lark are not quite right.
The crab effect IS due to the main gear having a couple of degrees of play in them due to the shimmy dampers.
However my understanding is that the dampers are there to stop the shimmy, not to allow crosswind landings.
If the dampers have leaked fluid or are not bled correctly then the aircraft shimmys quite badly.
A regular nightshift job in the rain that one- bleeding the shimmy dampers! Back to the thread..
I thought the 757 fuselage was also based on the 727. Were the eybrow windows removed then for the glass cockpit?
Joined: Sep 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 956
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From: away from home
Turin,
The 757 fuselage is more or less the same tube as the 737,727,707...
Initially the 757 development drawings showed the "standard" Boeing narrowbody nose. Even a T-tail was contemplated.
However when the commonality with the 767 came about (it was not a design criteria from the outset) the nose and window shape was designed so as to allow the commonality and a similar view from both flightdecks. And very successfully. Good looking airplane.
The 757 fuselage is more or less the same tube as the 737,727,707...
Initially the 757 development drawings showed the "standard" Boeing narrowbody nose. Even a T-tail was contemplated.
However when the commonality with the 767 came about (it was not a design criteria from the outset) the nose and window shape was designed so as to allow the commonality and a similar view from both flightdecks. And very successfully. Good looking airplane.
Joined: Feb 2002
Aviation Qualifications: AME
Posts: 4,182
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From: UK
oceancrosser
You're right! I have just found a picture of the original launch model of the 757 from 1978. Sure enough T tail and eyebrow windows. Nice one.
Source: "A HISTORY OF PASSENGER AIRCRAFT! by William Sweetman.
You're right! I have just found a picture of the original launch model of the 757 from 1978. Sure enough T tail and eyebrow windows. Nice one.
Source: "A HISTORY OF PASSENGER AIRCRAFT! by William Sweetman.
