Aircraft Maintenance Technology - 27

noted Greg Piland, VP aftermarket sales, Lee
Aerospace. "This process has proven to be
an inexpensive insurance policy for many
of our customers."
One of the areas that Lee Aerospace has
focused heavily on in the last few years is
providing FAA-approved classes to help
educate technicians and owner/operators
on how to identify windows that can be
repaired. "Many times, a window replacement could have been avoided by a timely
repair," Piland explained.

Product & Service
AWR has been manufacturing the AWR P-17
Inspection Prism Kit (sold by Textron) for
35 years, which is used to inspect windows
on the aircraft where the holes and edges
are hidden by the aircraft skin or fairings.
The prism gets "scratched" in the process of
positioning it on the window next to the skin,
so it allows the mechanic to see the entire
edge of the acrylic, including the mounting
holes from top to bottom.
"Operators or pilots would send their
prism in to be polished which would cost
them time and money," AWR explained.
"In 2019, by popular request, AWR came
up with a solution and manufactured a

Interior window polishing.
LEE AEROSPACE

To Dim or Not to Dim
General aviation and commercial transport aviation are different in many
respects, yet they share a common goal: to improve the passenger experience. Research Frontiers' SPD technology is used in EDWs (Electronically
Dimmable Windows), as well as cabin partitions, as the foundation that delivers benefits to all passengers on board all types of aircraft.
At the touch of a button, passengers at each window have the ability to
instantly and precisely control the amount of daylight and glare coming
through their window. They continue to enjoy views by tinting their SPDSmart EDW to control the amount of sunlight and glare to a comfortable
level, rather
than blocking
their view with
a shade. The
comfort and
benefits an
SPD-Smart
EDW system delivers
extends to all
RESEARCH FRONTIERS
passengers.
Cabin-wide control, operated either automatically with photosensors,
or manually by the crew, can result in the optimum level of daylight present throughout the cabin at all times. Benefits include greater daylighting,
enhanced views and a more open feeling, resulting in greater perceived
space. "The management and 'harvesting' of healthy daylighting instantly
transforms the cabin, and synergistically complements other cabin systems
including interior mood lighting systems and entertainment systems, for an
unequalled passenger experience," explained Mike LaPointe, VP of aerospace products, Research Frontiers. "Aircraft window openings are also a
primary path for heat, noise, glare and other environmental elements entering an aircraft. These unwanted elements - cabin heat while the aircraft is on
the ramp and cabin noise during the entire flight - are well known to cause
passengers discomfort, fatigue, jet lag and other ailments." SPD-Smart
EDWs, with their multilayer configuration of films and interlayers, provide all
passengers with a cooler, quieter and more comfortable cabin.
SPD-Smart EDWs can be installed by MROs during Part 25 aircraft heavy
maintenance checks, and by maintenance facilities on Part 23 aircraft.
These EDWs do not replace structural windows, they are located inboard of
the structural window with an air gap in between. "There has been a recent
development related to where exactly it is located," commented LaPointe.
"For regulatory and other reasons, prior generations of SPD-Smart EDWs
were located between the structural window and the scratch lens." However,
the current generation can use chemically strengthened glass ("Gorilla
Glass"), which can be located next to the passenger under full FAA/EASA
compliance. This means that the SPD-Smart EDW can simply replace the
scratch lens. "In addition to the benefits EDWs bring to aircraft cabins, it has
far better optical performance and damage-resistance than polycarbonate scratch lenses," noted LaPointe. "This presents many opportunities for
aircraft maintenance professionals, including upgrading scratch lenses to
SPD-Smart EDWs. The control switch electronics can be fully integrated
directly into the window." This facilitates rapid installation during aftermarket
upgrades. It also reduces maintenance expenses, as multiple aircraft interior
components do not have to be removed in order to access the EDW.

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Aircraft Maintenance Technology

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