null
1-855-215-2914
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Shipping Details Here)
loginLogin
Cart Cart

Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet

  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    • Contact Us
    • Credit App
    • Quote Request
    • Shipping Info
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Products
    • About Us
    • Mission
    • FAQ
  • RESOURCES
    • Videos
    • Articles
    • Email Sign-up
  • login
    Login
  • cart
    Cart
    • Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
        • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
        • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Turbine Oil
      • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
      • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
      • Aviation Greases
    • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
        • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
        • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
        • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
        • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
        • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
        • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
      • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
      • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
        • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
        • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
        • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Lubricant Accessories
    • Shop By Brand
      • AeroShell
      • BlueSky Lubricants
      • Mobil
      • Phillips 66 Aviation
    • About Us
      • Our Products
      • About Us
      • Mission
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Online Sales
      • Online Shopping Security
      • Terms Of Use
    • Resources
      • Videos
      • Articles
      • Email Sign-up
      • Bookmark Our Site
      • Get Our Free Web App
      • Site Map
    • Customer Service
      • Customer Service
      • Return Policy
      • Contact Us
      • Credit App
      • Quote Request
      • Shipping Info
      • FAQ
      • Paypal Resource Page
    • Login Create an Account


    1-855-215-2914
    The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
    Back to Blog Homepage
    Why are airplane windows round?

    Why are airplane windows round?

    By Kendra Kuhar on Mar 26th 2018

    If you've ever had the window seat on a flight, you may have looked out of it and admired the aerial view. The small, triple-paned glass does not provide a full panoramic view, but it usually gives enough visibility to enjoy the scenery. The oval-shaped windows may seem to stylistically go well with the sleek shape of the cabin, but the reason they're shaped that way is directly related to flight safety.

    Hazardous Corners




    Throughout the years, aerospace engineering has significantly developed through trial and error and the story behind airplane windows is no different.

    In early airplane design, square windows were the go-to window shape. Engineers justified the window choice because they were the standard for automobiles, trains, and other vehicles and they worked; however, the engineers did not initially understand the stark difference in physics behind an airplane.

    Two planes fell apart mid-flight because of the square windows. The corners of these rectangular-shaped windows provide weak points that are vulnerable to stress and further weakened by air pressure. The corners combined with pressure from high speeds at a high altitude are detrimental as researchers discovered with the de Havilland Comet.

    The de Havilland Comet

    The world's first commercial jetliner, the de Havilland Comet, took flight in 1949 and represented a milestone in commercial aviation. It carried 30,000 passengers in its first year, including Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret. The new and innovative engines allowed it to fly above 30,000 feet and increased its speed by 50%.

    The plane's popularity grew, and it took eight flights per week by summer 1953. However, it suffered two fatal crashes in 1954-because of the square windows.

    Flight 781 and Flight 201 took a total of 56 lives due to structural issues. The corners of the windows were vulnerable to high levels of pressure amounting to two or three more times than the rest of the cabin experienced and caused the fuselage to shatter. The weak points on the windows cause destruction to the entire plane, resulting in the aircraft essentially falling apart mid-air.

    Oval Windows



    While the Comet's reputation could not be recovered after the crashes, it did cause engineers to re-think window shape. They incorporated the oval windows we see today into the design.

    Oval windows successfully disperse pressure and stress on the plane more evenly, making them the standard in aviation. You may also have noticed the windows have multiple panes and a small hole near the bottom. One pane takes on the pressure while the second pane is there in case the first one somehow fails.

    The final pane closest to the passenger is the "scratcher" pane and prevents the other ones from getting damaged by occupants. The small hole on the bottom, known as the -breather hole-, works with the shape of the window by helping with the pressure as well and keeping everything intact.


    Sources:

    http://mentalfloss.com/article/84603/why-are-airplane-windows-round
    http://www.traveller.com.au/why-plane-windows-are-round-the-reason-plane-windows-were-changed-from-square-to-round-gv1wy1
    http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/why-are-airplane-windows-round

    c

    • #Aviation History
    • #General Aviation
    • #airplane design
    • #de Havilland Comet
    • #why are airplane windows oval
    • #why are airplane windows round

    You might also be interested in:


    Newsletter | January 2023
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Jan 12th 2023

    Do You Use Our FREE Web App? Now you can save our website as an app on your
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | November 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Nov 22nd 2022

    Other Smoke Oils Pail in Comparison to Bluesky Bluesky White Lightning Smok
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | October 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Oct 28th 2022

    Shop One of Our Most Popular Products - In Stock While Supplies Last One of
    monthly newsletter
    !

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

    aoo logo
    Aviation Oil Outlet
    454 South Main Street
    Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
    United States of America

    1-855-215-2914

    E-mail:
    sales@aviationoiloutlet.com

    Follow us on Social:

    Customer Service

    • Contact
    • Credit Application
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Quote Request
    • Returns
    • Shipping Information
    • Sitemap

    Resources

    • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Brands
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Online Shopping Security
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
    • Terms of Use
    • Video Library

    Account

    • Account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Order History

    © 2023 Aviation Oil Outlet

    payment method icons Bizrate
    ​