The International Cessna 170 Association

Went for a ride in a friend’s Maule not long ago and look what happened to my windows...

Interesting! Looks like you did a nice job. Does the gas cylinder tend to hold the window closed with the latch open?

looks like a window getting ready to depart the airframe.

Nice, a lot like the 180/5, can you show us a photo with the window open and the cylinder in view?

hilltop170 wrote:Interesting! Looks like you did a nice job. Does the gas cylinder tend to hold the window closed with the latch open?

Yes it does.

johneeb wrote:Nice, a lot like the 180/5, can you show us a photo with the window open and the cylinder in view?

Window open.

With the original window latch disconnected, the window will "fly" in just about that position with no adverse effects to the window.

What was your reason for modifying the window like that? Pictures? Ventilation?

Interesting mod, do you think the rear of the window will vibrate in flight?

hilltop170 wrote:With the original window latch disconnected, the window will "fly" in just about that position with no adverse effects to the window.

What was your reason for modifying the window like that? Pictures? Ventilation?

My reason for doing that was primarily for cross ventilation on a steamy day. We have plenty of those where I live. Nothing like sitting in the run up area on a day with 90* plus temps, 75% relative humidity and you’re number four (or nine) in the que for departure. I always found it frustrating to have that much nice window area with maybe half of it actually usable. Then I had the pleasure of enjoying in a friend’s late model Maule, NICE airplane. Dee’s is equipped with the 450hp Allison that is one impressive airplane! We were riding around at maybe 500’ and 100mph with the windows open! They weren’t rattling, vibrating or flapping in the breeze. They were just open. The Maule’s windows are about the same size as the ones in our 170’s and they only have one gas strut on theirs as well. I had the ability and the resources to make it happen and after seeing what I’d seen I had to do it! There’s a bit more thought than you might imagine to make something this simple happen. I got an education on gas struts and had to brush up on my geometry. My intent was to make it look as if left Wichita this way and if gas struts had been available back then I believe it very possibly could have. They were doing the best they could with what they had when our planes were built and I believe they did a magnificent job. They didn’t have GPS then either but I’d be willing to bet something like 100% of us have one on board today. To me this simple mod makes the airplane a little more enjoyable, a little more fun and you have to admit it’s way cooler taxiing with your arm out the window...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXr6CSotRoU

Louie, that looks very well done. There was nothing more enjoyable owning a Cub as I did, to fly around with the window and door open. Once or twice I've flown a 170 with the center latch disconnected (broken) and the window in the "flying" position as Richard noted. On the Cub, most are held open with a spring on the wing. but this was not the original design. The original was a crude but effective piece of strap metal that feel into place on the rear window frame similar to your gas spring. One mine, after 70 years of use, the back window frame tube broke. The Cessna frame and your attachments are 1000 times more substantial.

What I would be paying much more attention to, and ALL of us 170 owners should be, is the condition of the window hinges. The only 170 window I've heard of that left the aircraft in flight, was not flown in the open position. But over time the forward hinge wore into disrepair. In flight the window popped open and was ripped from the plane never to be found.

On the Cub and other planes like our 170 with windows that open, specially all the way open and flown that way. There is more load on these hinges. Not necessarily flying but bouncing around the taxi way or down the grass runway on landing. Hinges on the windows of these aircraft should be given more scrutiny than they probably are.

Louie, that is a very slick mod, and nicely done. It's the best window mod for the 170 I've seen. When you have a chance, do you mind posting more details, like part numbers and sources, dimensions, etc.? I think that a number of us might like to piggyback on the knowledge and experience you acquired doing it.

I agree with Bruce, I've open my pilot side window a couple of times in flight and I've stopped doing it for now as I've noticed the hinge has loosened a bit more where it's riveted to the door frame.

As far as the latch is concerned, original style 180/185 window latches are available and are made specifically for these type windows so no engineering is required for that part.

My pilot side window has that style latch but without a strut. When open in flight the window floats up and stays against the wing lower surface. But I have to hold it open for ventilation on the ground.

Bruce, I agree, the hinge is the weakest link in this chain. When I realized this, I paid close attention to the hinges as I worked and found mine to be in great shape. For added strength I used countersunk 1/8" stainless pop rivets. My intention is to add window hinge inspection to my routine preflight and if an upgrade is needed in this area it can then be addressed. I noticed one of my existing hinges is extruded. I did a quick search for extruded piano hinge on Aircraft Spruce but I don't see a listing for extruded hinge material. Do you have any idea where I might find it? If an upgrade is necessary a wider hinge could be used, by doing this the hinge pin would be moved outboard the window opening allowing for the use of a longer hinge. Although not necessary the hinge could then run the full length of the window if you wanted vastly improving the weakest link.

gfeher wrote:Louie, that is a very slick mod, and nicely done. It's the best window mod for the 170 I've seen. When you have a chance, do you mind posting more details, like part numbers and sources, dimensions, etc.? I think that a number of us might like to piggyback on the knowledge and experience you acquired doing it.

I agree with Bruce, I've open my pilot side window a couple of times in flight and I've stopped doing it for now as I've noticed the hinge has loosened a bit more where it's riveted to the door frame.

Gene, the tricky part of all this is the bracketry and placement of it. Making the bracket for the door is pretty involved. I can save you a ton of time on this, just let me know when you want to tackle it and I'll be happy to help.