I have been looking for the STC or plans for the sliding opening to install in a side window for taking photo's.
Have seen them installed in quite a few aircraft?
There are lot of them in C337's for photo's.
Anyone know which one I'm looking for or where to find one?
Thanks GT

Great Lakes Aero have some photo windows that install in a side window. Also if it is a Cessna, you can remove the restraining arm for the window and let it float up to the wing. However I think what kind aircraft you want to put this on might be helpful.

You really have to experiment with the size of the opening, as it can cause a resonant thumping noise in the cabin depending on aircraft type and airspeed.

If you go the route of removing the restraining arm on a Cessna window, be sure that the photographer puts the neck strap of the camera around his/her neck!

Cary

I guess you are looking to mod a plane you already own, but I'll point out for the sake of others reading the thread, that Maule windows open wide for photography and you can remove any door for an even less obstructed view.

In past experience I've also employed the Cessna trick previously mentioned. It's pretty cool how the wind flow holds the window open even without needing to somehow brace it.

I have a 180 and you guys have got me curious.

I have let the 180 window hang open in the past on takeoff, but always get worried as speed builds up and close it before I get out of climb speed (80knots).

Can you let that Window hang open at any speed? Or is there a point when the wind will remove it permanently?

Thanks!

88H wrote:I have a 180 and you guys have got me curious.

I have let the 180 window hang open in the past on takeoff, but always get worried as speed builds up and close it before I get out of climb speed (80knots).

Can you let that Window hang open at any speed? Or is there a point when the wind will remove it permanently?

Thanks!

I can only give you experimental data for Cessna. On a 172 the window stays attached at cruising speed (110 kt).

On a Maule the POH says no faster than 125MPH for both window open and door off operations.

88H wrote:

I have let the 180 window hang open in the past on takeoff, but always get worried as speed builds up and close it before I get out of climb speed (80knots).

Can you let that Window hang open at any speed? Or is there a point when the wind will remove it permanently?

I fly all summer long with the windows open at all speeds, especially during T/O and Landing when the airflow through the vents gets weak...so far no problems. Have not removed the arm, although that sounds like a good idea. Also, make sure any papers you have are secured, I know a guy that hade some mail get sucked out the window

The rule of thumb on opening is not fast, slow to 100 or so and do not exceed 120. If you open at too high a speed it will slam up to your wing and you will have a hell of a time pulling it down and latching it with the tiny latch, until you slow down. I have bubble windows installed, so I actually swap out my window to a flat one with a handle on it for photo. I made quick disconnects for my windows.

I have had sunglasses sucked off my face in the Twin Otter before, even with the clamping force exerted by the headset. I would avoid using the fancy hoods all cameras makers seem obsessed with lately. They actually don't stay on so well in 100mph wind blasts. I also wear a helmet and it keeps the headphones firmly in place. A safety pilot or autopilot is helpful, especially at low altitudes.

Would be helpful to see photos of windows that work (modified or not) as good portals for aerial photography. My new PA-22 has a little vent window on the pilot side that works okay, but not great, as it is very limiting of field of view. I'll get a photo next time I'm at the plane.

Years ago when I was partnered in a TR182, I did a photo shoot at pretty high speeds, about 145 indicated. I flew from the right seat, since we didn't have an opening window on the right, and the photog sat in the left seat. He opened the window before we started our dive into the canyon with my warning that it would tug pretty hard, without difficulty--probably about 135 indicated. Then we dove down the canyon he was shooting--he had a motorized system with a huge film magazine and clicked off a couple hundred shots in a very short time. But he couldn't pull the window back down, so I slowed to about 120, and he could close it then.

Cary

In my 180 I flew alot with windows open and doors off. Works great . Don't think I would go over 100 myself but sounds like others here have pushed the speed up quit a bit.180 flys so nice at around 80 and I usually would limit my speed at that . The slower you go the easier it is to open and close windows and doors when you are flying.

I mean , no I don't know where to get the stc for the sliding window.

Back in the early seventies I flew quite a few photographers in the 180. I flew around 80-90 with 2 notches of flaps, took a lot of the photos on the old postcards showing an aerial shot down main street for a lot of Colorado towns. As Cary said a strap for the camera and also one for sun glasses. One trip I had a guy shooting the Keystone Ski area and his high dollar subscription sun glasses departed the 180. He ask if I thought he could find them with a ground search. I just replied with a grin and ask if he had a month or two to look. Fun times!
Ron

Since it was too cold to work in the hanger today, I did some small items at home, like sell the Astar helicopter (!) and fiddle with some small projects. I put some new material on my photo window for the 185 to act as a bumper and rub bar. Without it it will mar the paint on your lower wing surface when you release the window to float up. I also thought to show a pic of my handle installation, which is an equipment rack handle and some angle.

one of the two bumpers:

Thanks All, What I'm trying to find is a sliding wiondow that is all made out of Plexi and just bolts to the window and slides forward or rearward to open, opening around 5 x 8 inches or so.
Have seen them, just cant find anything on the net?
Orion Air? from the east coast had them on there 337's, but can not find there #.
They had a contract for Air Tach for the WA.
GT