What did adding a J windshield get you?

[apriav]

Is it worth the effort, cost and down time?

$2600 plus installation, would you do it again after doing it?

Adding ADS B and the panel is apart, and will save some costs.

 

[Aviationinfo]

9 minutes ago, apriav said:

Is it worth the effort, cost and down time?

$2600 plus installation, would you do it again after doing it?

Adding ADS B and the panel is apart, and will save some costs.

 

At $2000+ per knot including the quoted 50 hours of labor, does it amount to $7000+ of sex appeal and increased airspeed?  Only you can answer.  Looks awesome, costs a lot.  Consider that you'll lose some access to the back of the instrument panel.

Edited June 29, 2021 by Aviationinfo

[RobertGary1]

I know some who have it. Small speed increase massive increase in difficultly doing any work behind the panel. 

[Yetti]

My IA asked if I wanted to do it.  I said I would just by a Mooney with a bigger motor.   Once I get done with the Skyview it would kind of make sense because everything is now accessed from the front of the panel.  Cept the brake fluid.

Edited June 29, 2021 by Yetti

[Hank]

Go ride in one, see what the visibility is like. Mine was already done when I bought her . . . .

[Browncbr1]

Dry radios is the only appreciable function benefit.    Speed difference is maybe only a knot or two, but slowing down is noticeably more challenging, especially when heavy.   Yes the cabin feels bigger and more comfortable.   Yes, get the UV solar glass..  it eliminates eye fry. 

Edited June 29, 2021 by Browncbr1

[aviatoreb]

Is the more slanted window any more resistant to bird strikes, thicker glass also?

I had a bird strike about 2 or 3 years ago, albeit some kind of small sparrow, but int just glanced off and left a big bloody spot on the window like a big bug on your car on the highway.  Very yucky and right in front of my face!  But it didn't go through and didn't create any damage.  There was enough yuk that it really was nontrivial to clean off.  But the window is still clean smooth and perfect.

E

[A64Pilot]

Lower angle will give you some better impact resistance, reason why tanks have sloped armor now, but a thicker windshield will likely give you more, both the most.

But even laminated glass like a cars windshield can be and is penetrated by large birds, I’ve seen it in a Helicopter, so no plastic windshield will be impervious. Wear glasses because people have gotten nasty infections from a eye full of bird guts.

Edited June 29, 2021 by A64Pilot

[Ragsf15e]

Avionics access is definitely a consideration and it’s a PIA.  However, they stay dry. 

[aviatoreb]

2 hours ago, A64Pilot said:

Lower angle will give you some better impact resistance, reason why tanks have sloped armor now, but a thicker windshield will likely give you more, both the most.

But even laminated glass like a cars windshield can be and is penetrated by large birds, I’ve seen it in a Helicopter, so no plastic windshield will be impervious. Wear glasses because people have gotten nasty infections from a eye full of bird guts.

I would be worried of the glasses themselves braking and getting into your eyes if a big bird gets through the window into your face.

Assuming you can stay alert, keep your wits and fly the plane to a safe landing.

But I always wear sunglasses when I fly - mostly thinking about the sun.  Now maybe I should call them turkey vulture glasses.

[RobertGary1]

2 hours ago, A64Pilot said:

Lower angle will give you some better impact resistance, reason why tanks have sloped armor now, but a thicker windshield will likely give you more, both the most.

But even laminated glass like a cars windshield can be and is penetrated by large birds, I’ve seen it in a Helicopter, so no plastic windshield will be impervious. Wear glasses because people have gotten nasty infections from a eye full of bird guts.

Can we get a picture of you flying around with safety goggles?

Edited June 29, 2021 by RobertGary1

[M20F-1968]

1 hour ago, Ragsf15e said:

Avionics access is definitely a consideration and it’s a PIA.  However, they stay dry. 

Avionics access is a function of how your glare-shield is installed and how your panel is designed.  My panel was made so that instrument trays age screwed in place (not riveted) and can be removed so they drop in your lap.  Access is through the panel, as well as through the top and below the panel.  Mooneys are tight whatever you do but it is much better to ensure that tens of thousands of dollars of avioncs are dry.

John Breda

[Marauder]

16 hours ago, apriav said:

Is it worth the effort, cost and down time?

$2600 plus installation, would you do it again after doing it?

Adding ADS B and the panel is apart, and will save some costs.

 

As the acoustically sound Free Mason (I think that is what his handle means) pointed out above, there is a noticeable sound/energy difference between the old and the 201 style windshield. You really can field the pulsing of the older style windshield and I swear it does fatigue you. So, yes, I think it is worth it from that perspective.

The drawback is the access. Unless you do as John suggest above, access will be limited. I have the SWTA version. It allows you to get your hand in from outside to get to the brake reservoir and a little bit of access on the right side. Just enough to say "screw it, I am going under the panel". The 201 windshield does modernize the look a bit. 

[A64Pilot]

2 hours ago, RobertGary1 said:

Can we get a picture of you flying around with safety goggles?

My glasses are, I believe just about any quality glasses are very impact resistant, some form of Lexan maybe, glass is rarely used anymore. Supposedly they will stop a pellet. But I’m still going to duck.

A friend took a Turkey Buzzard through the windshield of an AH-64 in Ft Hood Tx, his back seater had earlier hit a kite as well, but the bird hit mostly on the cross bar between the two windshields and pretty much only the guts got through, George didn’t have his face shield down and got some in his mouth and immediately started throwing up as you can imagine.

‘The smell has to be experienced to be believed, our Armament officer wanted to fly so bad he rode in the front seat to recover the aircraft. You could see George’s outline in the seat where he got spray painted with guts.

We had the feet mounted and presented them to George at what we called a BFMD. or Birds Fly, Men Drink.

 

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by A64Pilot

[aviatoreb]

2 hours ago, RobertGary1 said:

Can we get a picture of you flying around with safety goggles?

The cool new aviators look.

[aviatoreb]

2 minutes ago, A64Pilot said:

My glasses are, I believe just about any quality glasses are very impact resistant, some form of Lexan maybe, glass is rarely used anymore. Supposedly they will stop a pellet. But I’m still going to duck.

A friend took a Turkey Buzzard through the windshield of an AH-64 in Ft Hood Tx, his back seater had earlier hit a kite as well, but the bird hit mostly on the cross bar between the two windshields and pretty much only the guts got through, George didn’t have his face shield down and got some in his mouth and immediately started throwing up as you can imagine.

‘The smell has to be experienced to be believed, our Armament officer wanted to fly so bad he rode in the front seat to recover the aircraft. You could see George’s outline in the seat where he got spray painted with guts.

We had the feet mounted and presented them to George at what we called a BFMD. or Birds Fly, Men Drink.

 

 

Yuk!

Birds must be especially hazardous for helicopters due to low flying.

[Ragsf15e]

46 minutes ago, aviatoreb said:

Yuk!

Birds must be especially hazardous for helicopters due to low flying.

Well…. This thing called velocity gets in the way of that assumption.

A friend in an F-15E flying at 500’ and 500 knots in England took a large crow-size bird on the canopy.  Due to the vagaries of airflow and the F-15 being a “pilots airplane”, birds usually hit the back seater.  This time, the back seater took it in the face.  Total red out, no mask, no helmet, no comms, can’t see, completely disoriented, thought it took out the pilot on the way through. Pulled the handles.  Now nobody has ever been able to explain why the ejection seat selector wasn’t set properly or maybe it got turned in the melee?  Generally it is set for dual ejection just before takeoff.  Anyway, back seater ejected, front seat stayed put.  Back seater had no idea what happened, but called his squadron from a farmhouse.  Squadron told him to hold because he had an emergency aircraft coming in with no canopy.  Backseater explained that was his airplane!  Front seater landed the convertible.  All survived.  Well except the bird.

[Hank]

1 hour ago, aviatoreb said:

The cool new aviators look.

Are these available with my prescription?

   

[aviatoreb]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

Are these available with my prescription?

   

Of course!

[aviatoreb]

1 hour ago, Ragsf15e said:

Well…. This thing called velocity gets in the way of that assumption.

A friend in an F-15E flying at 500’ and 500 knots in England took a large crow-size bird on the canopy.  Due to the vagaries of airflow and the F-15 being a “pilots airplane”, birds usually hit the back seater.  This time, the back seater took it in the face.  Total red out, no mask, no helmet, no comms, can’t see, completely disoriented, thought it took out the pilot on the way through. Pulled the handles.  Now nobody has ever been able to explain why the ejection seat selector wasn’t set properly or maybe it got turned in the melee?  Generally it is set for dual ejection just before takeoff.  Anyway, back seater ejected, front seat stayed put.  Back seater had no idea what happened, but called his squadron from a farmhouse.  Squadron told him to hold because he had an emergency aircraft coming in with no canopy.  Backseater explained that was his airplane!  Front seater landed the convertible.  All survived.  Well except the bird.

Wow - what a story!

[Shadrach]

4 hours ago, A64Pilot said:

My glasses are, I believe just about any quality glasses are very impact resistant, some form of Lexan maybe, glass is rarely used anymore. Supposedly they will stop a pellet. But I’m still going to duck.

A friend took a Turkey Buzzard through the windshield of an AH-64 in Ft Hood Tx, his back seater had earlier hit a kite as well, but the bird hit mostly on the cross bar between the two windshields and pretty much only the guts got through, George didn’t have his face shield down and got some in his mouth and immediately started throwing up as you can imagine.

‘The smell has to be experienced to be believed, our Armament officer wanted to fly so bad he rode in the front seat to recover the aircraft. You could see George’s outline in the seat where he got spray painted with guts.

We had the feet mounted and presented them to George at what we called a BFMD. or Birds Fly, Men Drink.

 

 

Worst day ever. We had several turkey buzzards roost in a tree above our driveway one night. It was like it was raining putrid meat, and spoiled dairy mixed with $hit.  Then the flies showed up. Literally took a shovel and a pressure washer to rectify the situation. Buzzard guts would have to be a about the most stomach churning substance in the world…

[carusoam]

1) buzzards are a big hazard…

2) Sloped and thick windshields are better…

3) They are worth it…

4) Especially if you have a forever-plane…

5) upgrades are hard to justify on a speed and cost basis…

6) If you want an M20C to fly like an M20J… slope the windshield, swap in the IO360… and enjoy…

7) Next step… go IO550… will need an M20K’s cowl to go with that…

8) Short cut…. If the plane has not yet been deemed a forever-plane… go direct… M20J !!!

9) I did the math once… the M20J makes sense… so does the Missile…. The M20R magically makes sense as well… 

10) they are all worth it…

Best regards,

-a-

[apriav]

Thanks

Great reading and insight, leaning towards windshield installation. The one installed is not that great, along with the other windows (original).

Will post pictures.

 

[carusoam]

A sloped windshield would be perfect to go with the Butler Buttonhook, and stinger tail….  

A fancy cowl will finish the deal.  Great looks and cool CHTs…

Best regards,

-a-

[DV8Pilot]

Like this?

3 hours ago, carusoam said:

A sloped windshield would be perfect to go with the Butler Buttonhook, and stinger tail….  

A fancy cowl will finish the deal.  Great looks and cool CHTs…

Best regards,

-a-