Date: 28 Aug 97 22:33:34
From: Bob Mann <rwmannco@interport.net>
Organization: R.W. Mann & Company, Inc.
References: 1 2
Followups: 1 2 3
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Ken Jongsma wrote:
> "M. Yan Chin" <kiddoc@concentric.net> wrote:
>
> >Is there a technical reason why all airliners seem to have the same
> >small windows? Larger ones seem like such an obvious thing to do to
> >enhance passenger comfort.
>
> Along the same lines, why are the windows set so low in the fuselage?
> I am 6' and find that the top of the window is about shoulder high,
> making it very hard to look out without sliding down in the seat!
>
> Ken
"Transparencies" (windows) are multi-layer glass and acrylic units and
quite a bit heavier than an aluminum fuselage "plug". Bigger holes in
the fuselage (bigger windows) would require heavier structure in the
window-surround area to ensure failsafe damage tolerance. For this
reason, purpose-built freighters are actually lighter, as they carry
less structure, due to no windows.
As far as the elevation of the window belt-line goes, it's based on
structural considerations and sited around 50th percentile passenger
ergonomics -- well below 6' "average" heights.
--
- Bob Mann
R.W. Mann & Company, Inc.
Airline Industry Analysis and Consulting
Port Washington, NY 11050 USA
office 516-944-0900, fax-7280, mailto:rwmannco@interport.net
http://www.interport.net/~rwmannco/
