A FLIGHT WITH A VIEW
Students: M. Afanasyev, R.G. Chettle, D.P. Jansen, M.H. Nagelsmit, I. Peštic, R. Simons, S. Stjepanovic, T.J. van Tuinen, H.G. Zollner
Project tutor: prof.dr.ir. S. van der Zwaag
Coaches: dr.ir. A.J. Suiker, ir. J.J. Homan
Introduction
Windows in commercial passenger aircraft have not changed considerably in the past decades. The reason for this evolutionary standstill is not entirely clear, but one reason might be the conservative nature of the airplane industry. Windows in modern buses and trains are much larger in comparison with the small cutouts found in current airplanes. This is due to the fact that the size of windows is critical for the structure in airplanes. Aircraft manufacturers avoid risks and expensive research by replacing the old window designs into their new products. As a result aircraft windows are always small. Passengers currently have an increasing demand for comfort which is directly linked to a better view. The most trivial manner to adhere to their demands is by increasing the window area and therefore increasing their view. New technologies and materials that have been developed in the last decades can assist in accomplishing this.
The paper of this project is available as a PDF-document here.