Bubble Window STC?

punkin170b · Post by **punkin170b** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 10:07 pm

Has anybody come across a holder of a bubble window STC for the 170B? I have found a couple (including Great Lakes Aero) that have an STC for 172s, but NOT 170s specifically. I'd like a 2 or 4 inch bubble (6 is just too grotesque!). Anyone? Buehller? Thanks...
Matt

zero.one.victor · Post by **zero.one.victor** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 3:45 am

WagAero sells some bubble windows,butr sez they are STC'd only for the 180. A field-approval based on that 180 approval might not be too hard.....

Eric

mit · Post by **mit** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 5:22 am

There are several around here done on a field approval.

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 6:52 am

Just curious, why do you want bubble side windows?

Apart from the increased "elbow room" and being
able to peer down a bit more by sticking your
head into the bubble so-to-speak, you'll lose cruise
speed (my information says they'll cost you 3 or so mph)
and you'll experience distortion (view out the side windows)
while taxiing in close quarters (the latter, admittedly, being
not that big a deal to some, but a bigger deal to others
who can't see right as it is!).

punkin170b · Post by **punkin170b** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 2:58 am

Hi Bela,
My reasons for considering bubble windows are: 1) I always "donk" my head on the plexi when I'm trying to peer down to inspect an "unimproved" strip I am thinking about landing on. 2) the 2 or 4 inch windows have very little distortion. 3) The guys I know who have them on 180/185s can't tell a difference in speed 3) my bird has been kinda tweaked here and there to become more practical for "back country use" and the mod wouldn't detract much from "originality" in my case. 5) they make you look hip when parked at Chamberlain or Big Creek, ID... that is someday when I can return to the mountains (and my back country friends stop calling me "flatlander"!). hehehe... No offense, George!
Matt

Post by **GAHorn** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 12:39 pm

HA! I was about to kid you by asking how many mountains you've seen down there in The Woodlands! (Flat, sandy, pine forests bordering on swampland but priced at Santa Fe prices, for those who don't know.)
Hey, Matt! I'm at U42 and dong a little mx while enroute at Salt Lake Air. The mx supervisor Ivan, told me about a 170 owned by a buddy of his based just 30 miles north! Took me a minute to realize who he was talking about.

punkin170b · Post by **punkin170b** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 3:22 pm

Man, aviation is a small community! Please tell Ivan howdy from us. The SLC-area aviation community is full of great people... Found some great ones down here too (as it is everywhere) - but kinda miss the gang up there!
Matt

mit · Post by **mit** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 3:17 am

It's real fun to watch people bump their nose's on the windows when they try to look inside.

punkin170b · Post by **punkin170b** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 1:17 pm

Man, that's the other thing I wanted the bubble windows for. I hate cleaning my gooey forehead-prints off the inside of the window. Tim, now you're saying I'll hafta clean the OUTSIDE? And it won't even be my own goobers? Yuck. Maybe I'll stick with Bela on this... hehehe!

mit · Post by **mit** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:52 am

Oh NO it's worth the pain of the cleaning! I love my bubbles!

JMACFLY · Post by **JMACFLY** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 3:58 am

We installed 4" bubbles from LP Plastics about 5 years ago. Best return on our investment for cockpit comfort. I dont notice distortion, or any speed loss. Even when the lift struts are covered with bugs, the bubbles seldom get many hits. Forget the Rosen Visors, install 4" bubbles.
John

blueldr · Post by **blueldr** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:17 am

My experience with bubble windows has all been negative. Opening them in flight can be an exciting event. They will almost shake off the airplane. How in the world did they improve cockpit comfort?

AR Dave · Post by **AR Dave** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:48 am

I don't know if mine are 4" or 6" (probably 6") but I love them. I believe they've saved my life more than once. From avoiding moose stalls to the time I jammed the alder limb in my horizontal stabilizer and had absolutely no up or down. Sure was helpful to look back at the tail and see that stick stuck in there!

Being able to look behind or below can be more than just a great convience. I fly with my elbow in the bubble because my shoulder would be folded inward otherwise. My wife puts a pillow in her window and lays her head more horizontal and comfortable. Having a 12" wider cabin certainly improves comfort for us. Once a sightseeing passenger realizes the bubble is there, that's where his head is going to be. I guess because they're rounded is why the bugs don't stick. If there is a view distortion, I've never seen it and we get excellent video footage! But I must have a different kind because flying with the windows open is no problem either. I will admit that I don't fly with the windows open much but thatâ€™s more because of noise, I used to open them when making TP drops however. I am about 15 mph slower, the bubble windows might the culprit, but I'd have to give em credit for my great climb performance. They've been on the plane since the 70's or 80's so I've never flown without them. One more important thing (beauty in the eye of the beholder), they look so way cool!

I was looking through the books a while back and saw a written field approval or 337.

JMACFLY · Post by **JMACFLY** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:25 am

Blueldr, we get approx 4" per side of extra shoulder room, and arm rests to boot. Flat windows for aerial photos and TP are best. I have one left side flat window that I sometimes carry that can be installed in a moment's notice. I dont like the wind loads on my window hinges with the bubbles open, and they don't "park" under the wing like the flat ones do. Perhaps the speed loss mentioned is caused by ball deflection whilst looking out the window.
John

The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Bubble Window STC?

Bubble Window STC?

4" bubble windows

more comfort with bubbles