Thick windows worth the cost and weight?

[Geoff]

Hi guys,

 

I'm looking to to replace Windows prior to repaint and wanted to hear the collective wisdom of the board.  I'm flying a early K model with Zulu headsets so I'm skeptical of the sound help at the cost of the weight. Useful load is currently 950 lbs and I usually fly 3 people on 3 hour legs so big issue for me but I hate to give up UL for no tangible benefit.

 

second question, would you buy a mooney with dark rear windows?  I'm in Houston and looking to cut the heat any way I can. Thinking about the dark tinted rears but concerned about resale effect.  LP has a light grey tint and a very dark grey tint.  I have seen the new Mooneys with very dark Windows in the rear and they look nice, kinda like a modern SUV.  Any thoughts?

 

Pic for reference.  Please ignor hideous new factory paint scheme!

 

Edited December 27, 2015 by Geoff

[gsxrpilot]

Can't speak to the weight, but as a fellow Texan, YES to the dark rear windows. Anything to cut the heat, and they look great also.

[carusoam]

950UL in a long body...

Does it have AC already? (If yes, keep dark windows)

Theory of relativity...

In TX, it is best to have huge dark windows... (Relative to other places)

In long body economics, side windows are really inexpensive to replace... (Relative to other upgrades like 310 hp or topprops)

Go long body!

-a-

 

[Piloto]

I would have all windows tinted. It makes the flight more enjoyable and less hotter in the summer. It also helps on preserving the interiors. 

José

[ryoder]

On December 27, 2015 at 11:41 AM, Piloto said:

I would have all windows tinted. It makes the flight more enjoyable and less hotter in the summer. It also helps on preserving the interiors. 

José

Do you mean add tint to existing Windows or install expensive thicker and heavier windows with tint?

[aviatoreb]

Paint job looks like a Birthday present.

[Geoff]

To clarify I am replacing windows with new. 

[KSMooniac]

Protect that useful load! Modern headsets take care of the noise...just get some for every pax and carry that extra bag or fat pax.

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[aaronk25]

Agree, what good is a plane that can't haul what you want do to useful load. That goes for carpet, thicker glass ect. The higher the altitude the less noise due to lower IAS....just go higher things get quieter.

Not sure how credible but I've heard that thicker glass costs more to install due to extra labor to get it to fit good

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[ryoder]

New carpet reduces weight due to the lack of human skin cells and other nastiness built up over decades. 

[aviatoreb]

As for front window - I want thick to help keep the birds out.

[Tom]

Agree with 1/4" windscreen.  Conversely, I like the idea of thin side windows because they're easier to break should someone need to (that's just me).

Tint opinions:
If tinting, always spring for the thermal blocking tint (or whatever it is called/marketed as).
Clear windscreen.
Tinted windows all around.

[rbridges]

how much weight difference is their between the thicker and thinner side windows?

[Bob_Belville]

I just replace all five windows in my '66E that has a 201 style w'shield. I went with GLAP 3/16" solar grey all around. I also went with their optional 2nd vent window in the door window. http://www.glapinc.com/

The oem rear windows were 1/8" so only those 2 windows are heavier. The weight is pretty negligible. I may have removed more excess adhesive than I added in acrylic.

Having just done a windshield, I would be of the opinion that going to 1/4" would be more time consuming. While all the side windows fit with minimal trimming, the w'shield involves quite a bit of trial and gradual trimming. The 1/4" would have to be skived down to fit the channel. Certainly doable but I doubt the value of the extra effort. (Perhaps Byron's low altitude racing would make the extra bird protection worth it. And if it your own time and not an A&P's shop rate that would help.)   

[N601RX]

1/8- .73 lbs per sq ft

3/16- 1.09 lbs per sq ft

1/4- 1.46 lbs per sq ft

Also note that it takes about 3.5 times the energy to break the 1/4" as it does to break the 1/8"

[DXB]

On 12/27/2015 at 10:13 AM, Geoff said:

 

Pic for reference.  Please ignor hideous new factory paint scheme!

 

Now that folks have answered your window question, I have to concur, that paint scheme is indeed an abomination.

 

[aaronk25]

Gosh that paint job sure is something.....

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[Raptor05121]

I like the paint scheme. Reminds me of a WW2 battleship camo.

As for the tint, I know a friend who has the limo black windows on his Cherokee's side windows. It looks GOOD and keeps the cabin remarkably cooler. Not to mention a friend trying to take a peek inside was tough, let alone a stranger with a satchel

[carusoam]

If you like funky LB paint...

MSer, OrangeMetal had it with a BMW design layout in, of course, orange...

Best regards,

-a-

[kmyfm20s]

I think that orange Accliam is up for sale. I kinda like it!

[kmyfm20s]

47 minutes ago, DXB said:

Now that folks have answered your window question, I have to concur, that paint scheme is indeed an abomination.

 

I see it is up for sale as a previous factory demonstrator. Do you think it was a group vote or an individual decision to paint it like that? I trying to figure out how you could even work with the existing scheme to not have repaint the entire plane.

[Danb]

On December 31, 2015 at 7:53 PM, ryoder said:

New carpet reduces weight due to the lack of human skin cells and other nastiness built up over decades. 

Ewwwwww. Yuccckky

but that paint job rocks.

[Danb]

7 minutes ago, Danb said:

 

What we need to get the new year off to a great start is for the 'Marauders chicks! To chime in..

[aviatoreb]

That paint looks like the airplane is wrapped in Christmas bows and ribbons.

[aviatoreb]

Now that orange Mooney is so Ugly, it crossed over and it is beautiful again.

It kinda looks like a clown fish.

I wouldn't kick that acclaim out of my hangar.