Bubble window on a Cessna 180

[tazin river]

Hello there

I broke the left window latch on our Cessna 180 on Sunday when I pulled it out of the water for the winter. Bummer!

Thinking perhaps that this might be a good time to replace that window with a bubble window. Cost seems not too too bad but was wondering about installation? How hard is it to replace the regular side window with a bubble window?

Cheers

[40echotango]

Can't really answer to the cost of install or difficulty. But I will say bubble windows are the way to go! Just a little more shoulder room and great vis!

40ET

[Redneck_pilot86]

The only down side to bubble windows is that it restricts access to the wing root, if you ever needed to pull a wing off for repair then the window has to go first.

[goingnowherefast]

The door pins make that a non issue. If you are going through the effort to remove a wing, pulling 2 door pins is trivial.

[spafloats]

A few things to consider about bubble windows:

1. Most bubble windows require a second latch in the STC. Those latches are pricey and they really are necessary due to the lift created by the bubble pulling on it.
2. The window will cost you some speed. I flew a 185 that gained 5 m.p.h in cruise when the large bubbles were replaced with flats.
3. Bubbles put more stress on the upper hinges of the door. What kind of shape are your upper hinges in...they are pricey to replace. Fly in a 180 or 185 with large bubbles in cold weather and you will be amazed at how much they pull the door out at the top in cruise, letting lots of cold air in.
4. If you are on floats, the large bubbles restrict how far the window can open upward, limiting the window as a place for underwater egress in an emergency.
5. Most bubbles that I have seen are placard end not to open above 120 m.p.h.. You can't fly with it open on a hot summer day.

Spafloats

[goingnowherefast]

I loved the bubble windows on the 185 I flew. Much nicer than the stock windows (my experience with flat windows is on the late model 180). However, I was the pilot, didn't know about the cost aspect of it. It was a pretty slow plane for a 185 though, but I also attributed that to the STOL kit, bigger floats and 3 bladed prop.

Pilots love them, customers like them. How much is that worth to the operator?

[Redneck_pilot86]

The door pins make that a non issue. If you are going through the effort to remove a wing, pulling 2 door pins is trivial.

Overlooked the type we are talking about, just recalled an engineer bitching about that. He was referring to a 206 though.

[BGH]

Put them on my 185 back in 1987,got the forward window latches from upper valley in chilliwack;used but serviceable.Windows just popped in,drilled & tapped holes for latches - can't remember the paperwork required though.
Slowed me down about 7 mph but worth it for the view & the extra elbow room,both on floats & wheels.

Daryl

[DHC2eater]

Hi Taz......

I put a set in my 185 2 years ago......

It's easy and a project that give satisfaction with the end result..

I'm just a handy guy so nothing special...had the job signed off by my AME ...all good

I would do it again

Eater