Bubble Windows

[timwinters]

I always perform at least one upgrade on Ms. DueBeUs each year at annual. This year it's new door glass & landing light lens. The bubble door windows might be nice, especially since the old 182 cabins are narrower than the newer ones. Anyone have these? Notice any speed penalty? Other comments? Suggestions?

http://www.glapinc.com/cart/index.php?cPath=639_66_356_606_404

 

[Matthew]

I've flown right seat in an older, narrow, 172. The bubble windows are great for extra shouder room.

I didn't ceck if the windows could open or not.

 

[timwinters]

Thanks, Matthew,

I'm sure the windows would still open fine with the exception of the below. Anybody else have any experience? My main concern is speed penalty.

One thing I probably couldn't do anymore though, is remove the stop and let them swing all the way up to the wing bottom. I've only done this twice for photography events but it works well. The moving air holds the window tight to the bottom of wing. I put those little rubber bumpers on the window frame to both cushion and protect paint. With bubble windows the plexiglas would hit the wing first.

 

[Skylane81E]

Put the bumpers on the wing where the window would make contact then

 

[wabower]

Numerous Cessna 180-185's have seen service as patrol aircraft prior to purchase by private owners. My impression from following the various forums is that most owners remove them due to noise, vibration, cracking, distortion, performance and other unfavorable characteristics. YMMV.

 

[denverpilot]

I don't think I'd want the bubble unless I needed to look straight down for some reason.

We're evaluating (well, we evaluated already and want to do it) putting a large camera port in our non-opening right side window sometime soon via replacement of the window. Maybe during the downtime of the next annual.

Bunch of photographers in our little airplane clique. Makes 'em happy not to shoot through plexiglass. Added bonus, since that window doesn't open, it'll be an alternative for airflow in the summertime.

 

[timwinters]

Interesting, Wayne, thanks.