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Has Anyone Replaced their SWTA Windshield...

hammdo

By hammdo
in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)

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hammdo Grand Master

hammdo

Posted
Posted

I'm looking into the possibility of replacing my original SWTA Windshield (installed in 1998). I know some have said the 201 J will work but, wanted to verify. Obviously, I have the STC but, I'm assuming that will allow replacement with a field approval (337).

Has anyone done that? Great Lakes did say they have the 201 version...

David ( @Sabremech) looked into it years ago (2010) but SWTA was still selling kits then...

Thanks!

-Don

Sabremech Veteran

Sabremech

Posted
Posted
29 minutes ago, hammdo said:

I'm looking into the possibility of replacing my original SWTA Windshield (installed in 1998). I know some have said the 201 J will work but, wanted to verify. Obviously, I have the STC but, I'm assuming that will allow replacement with a field approval (337).

Has anyone done that? Great Lakes did say they have the 201 version...

David ( @Sabremech) looked into it years ago (2010) but SWTA was still selling kits then...

Thanks!

-Don

Hi Don,

I spoke with LP Aero Plastics several years ago at Oshkosh and they said their windshields will fit. Maybe a little more trimming. They may have even told me that they supplied the windshields for SWTA. Worth checking with them.

David

  • Like 2
Andy95W Grand Master

Andy95W

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Sabremech said:

Hi Don,

I spoke with LP Aero Plastics several years ago at Oshkosh and they said their windshields will fit. Maybe a little more trimming. They may have even told me that they supplied the windshields for SWTA. Worth checking with them.

David

I’m actually more concerned about the fiberglass lower retainer.  Once you get all the old sealant removed, I wonder if that would still be in one piece.

Sabremech Veteran

Sabremech

Posted
Posted
37 minutes ago, Andy95W said:

I’m actually more concerned about the fiberglass lower retainer.  Once you get all the old sealant removed, I wonder if that would still be in one piece.

If it did come apart or get damaged, as long as it’s shape is still there, I could have a new one rolled out of aluminum to replace it. Could be a good option if needed. 
David

  • Like 1
Prior owner Experienced

Prior owner

Posted
Posted

You are quite right to be concerned about destroying the fiberglass lower windshield retainer….if it was installed properly, it will be filled with pro seal and it won’t be possible to remove it without ruining it. SWTA still has the molds, but will not make new retainers for anyone. A Mooney 201 retainer, doesn’t fit- not even close.
 

The Mooney piece can be worked, very slowly- re-shaped it to fit . The results are acceptable, but not perfect- you can see the progression below, where one was done. The silver Mooney retainer had enormous gaps at each corner of the windshield. The piece was hand-worked, re-contoured, and trimmed to fit. The windshield was not touched during the replacement.

 

 

 

 

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Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Almost every Van RV airplane has a windshield retainer made of fibreglass cloth and resin, hand made on the airplane.  If your SWTA one is broken you can build a new one, likely cheaper and faster than fitting a Mooney version.

 

hammdo Grand Master

hammdo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I have many years of composite construction- uni, bid, triax, and also with carbon fiber. I’ve built molds and I’m pretty sure I could fabricate one from scratch - but some one would need to approve that :o)

-Don

  • Like 2
DCarlton Veteran

DCarlton

Posted
Posted
37 minutes ago, hammdo said:

I have many years of composite construction- uni, bid, triax, and also with carbon fiber. I’ve built molds and I’m pretty sure I could fabricate one from scratch - but some one would need to approve that :o)

-Don

Great thread.  Thanks for posting.  I have the SWTA windshield and it would be nice to replace it but it's not essential.  I think I'll need well enough alone for now.  Gotta wonder why the newer SWTA won't help (must be liability concerns).  

DCarlton Veteran

DCarlton

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, wburger1 said:

I had mine replaced by JD in Smithville, TX.  I had the 201 SWTA mod on my 1967 M20F.   He did a great job by the way.

Got a rough idea what it cost without having to do too much digging to find it?  Thanks.  

Marauder Grand Master

Marauder

Posted
Posted
Almost every Van RV airplane has a windshield retainer made of fibreglass cloth and resin, hand made on the airplane.  If your SWTA one is broken you can build a new one, likely cheaper and faster than fitting a Mooney version.
 

I wonder if @bradp can suggest if one can be made of carbon fiber. Wasn’t he the guy who made gear doors out of it?


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wburger1 Collaborator

wburger1

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, DCarlton said:

Got a rough idea what it cost without having to do too much digging to find it?  Thanks.  

It was less than $1700 installed including the windshield.  I got the same thickness and went with the clear one which still has a little gray color in it.  Don't think he had to modify any parts to do it. 

  • Like 3
bradp Grand Master

bradp

Posted
Posted
23 hours ago, Marauder said:


I wonder if @bradp can suggest if one can be made of carbon fiber. Wasn’t he the guy who made gear doors out of it?


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It can be done.  Two potential paths.  First path would be like the vans system. You’d have to fill the voids, protect the surfaces, then do a hand layup on the aircraft, come back and trim, body work and drill. It would take a bit of knowledge transfer from the RV process.  You’d also need a bonding method that is acceptable. Fiberglass probably, definitely, preferred over carbon.  Aluminum in contact with carbon at a high vibration area is bad news… they will have galvanic corrosion and river will eventually work and give.   This is a one off solution.  
 

Second path is you have the old one and it’s in good enough shape to create a plug (probably one side since it’s a flat with complex curves).  From the plug you do a vacuum bag hand layup.  This is something I could help with under the owner produced parts provision. Especially if it is a copy of a previous fiberglass part.  If SWTA is willing to let you borrow their mold, that’s even better. 
 

edit : vans has an entire series about the windshield fairing process.  
https://www.vansaircraft.com/faq/canopy-fiberglass-fairing-how-to-video-series/

 

EricJ Grand Master

EricJ

Posted
Posted
On 8/20/2022 at 7:42 AM, hammdo said:

I have many years of composite construction- uni, bid, triax, and also with carbon fiber. I’ve built molds and I’m pretty sure I could fabricate one from scratch - but some one would need to approve that :o)

-Don

That seems like a perfect application for an Owner Produced Part.    You can do that, fully blessed by the regs.   You do need to work with your A&P/IA who will need to sign off on the installation, but you also make a maintenance entry in the logbook as the owner for the production of the part.    Your A&P/IA should be familiar with the process.

  • Like 2
1964-M20E Grand Master

1964-M20E

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, EricJ said:

That seems like a perfect application for an Owner Produced Part.    You can do that, fully blessed by the regs.   You do need to work with your A&P/IA who will need to sign off on the installation, but you also make a maintenance entry in the logbook as the owner for the production of the part.    Your A&P/IA should be familiar with the process.

Besides this is a faring so the owner can repair it under preventive maintenance.

 

  • Like 2
  • 5 weeks later...
JoeM Community Regular

JoeM

Posted
Posted

I have the SWTA STC windshield too. Called LP Aero and was told they only have one windshield for an M20E, not this STC. Sounded like the person didn't really want to dig into it much. 

  • Thanks 1
A64Pilot Grand Master

A64Pilot

Posted
Posted
On 8/21/2022 at 12:40 PM, 1964-M20E said:

Besides this is a faring so the owner can repair it under preventive maintenance.

 

isn’t it’s purpose to retain the window? if so then it’s a structural part. Should still be able to produce it as an owner produced part though.

  • Like 1
1964-M20E Grand Master

1964-M20E

Posted
Posted
On 9/21/2022 at 9:29 AM, A64Pilot said:

isn’t it’s purpose to retain the window? if so then it’s a structural part. Should still be able to produce it as an owner produced part though.

agreed but don't they have screws holding the windshield and windows in?

  • 1 month later...
hammdo Grand Master

hammdo

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Just a follow-up:

Ordered from JD @ SWTA -- waiting for it to come in.  Once I have that on hand, will schedule the install.  Will update when things are rollin'...

-Don

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  • 3 months later...
hammdo Grand Master

hammdo

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Update:


Finally came in after several months. Now working with SWTA to get on the schedule…

-Don

Pinecone Grand Master

Pinecone

Posted
Posted

Maybe someone should pull a mold off an installed one before removing it.

Then they can either share the mold, or make then under OPP if the owner supplies the material (orders the fiberglas cloth to be shipped to the person with the mold).

  • 1 month later...
hammdo Grand Master

hammdo

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Windshield is installed and curing. JD did save the fiberglass trim. Once cured (and the airport reopens), I’ll do another update. Costs will be higher as the windshield was $975 shipped…

-Don

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