Broken passenger window

[rwhaid]

Our passenger window has fallen off with one of the hinges still on the canopy and the other attached to the window. See attached pictures. No idea how this happened. Given the hinges and lock are all still in tact I'm thinking we can probably super glue the window back on. Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations for how to handle this? Any specific types of glue we should use? Thank you in advance!

[Rich]

See the thread “Glue for Canopy”. I used the Acrifix and it’s lasted for 6 years so far. Sunlight-cured it.

In my experience superglue is only super at gluing your fingers together

[rwhaid]

Thanks for that tip. What's the best place to get it? Only seeing it on eBay.

[Rich]

Thanks for that tip. What's the best place to get it? Only seeing it on eBay.

Google Acrifix 192. Lots of sources, though it seems most are outside the US.

[jwx96]

My case is less severe, but I had one hinge come loose from where it attaches to the canopy at the bottom. I tried a couple of glues and a shop tried something “we’ve had pretty good luck with.” None of them worked. I ended up using a small strip of heavy-duty clear packing tape across the bottom of the hinge as a temporary fix. It ended up working great and has been there for 5 years. The Acrifix 192 sounds like a more satisfying solution so I think I’ll order some.

[rwhaid]

My case is less severe, but I had one hinge come loose from where it attaches to the canopy at the bottom. I tried a couple of glues and a shop tried something “we’ve had pretty good luck with.” None of them worked. I ended up using a small strip of heavy-duty clear packing tape across the bottom of the hinge as a temporary fix. It ended up working great and has been there for 5 years. The Acrifix 192 sounds like a more satisfying solution so I think I’ll order some.

Thinking about duct tape as a temporary solution as well while we wait for the Acrifix. Is the plane technically airworthy if the passenger window is duct taped on? Have you had any issues with it coming loose during flights?

[Steve]

My case is less severe, but I had one hinge come loose from where it attaches to the canopy at the bottom. I tried a couple of glues and a shop tried something “we’ve had pretty good luck with.” None of them worked. I ended up using a small strip of heavy-duty clear packing tape across the bottom of the hinge as a temporary fix. It ended up working great and has been there for 5 years. The Acrifix 192 sounds like a more satisfying solution so I think I’ll order some.

Thinking about duct tape as a temporary solution as well while we wait for the Acrifix. Is the plane technically airworthy if the passenger window is duct taped on? Have you had any issues with it coming loose during flights?

I've opened it a few times in-flight. There is quite a bit of negative pressure keeping it closed due to Bernoulli's Principle.

[dmloftus]

Thinking about duct tape as a temporary solution as well while we wait for the Acrifix. Is the plane technically airworthy if the passenger window is duct taped on? Have you had any issues with it coming loose during flights?

If it's not on the Minimum Equipment List, I think you are legal to fly with it duct-taped or even missing. Technically, you could probably remove the canopy and fly it like a drop-top convertible. But you'd probably want to get some Snoopy googles for that move ;-)

[erchegyia]

If it's not on the Minimum Equipment List, I think you are legal to fly with it duct-taped or even missing.

Isn't it the opposite way around? ie. whatever is not on the MEL cannot be missing? Pe. the wing is not listed either

[jwx96]

Duct tape is going to leave a sticky residue when you go to remove it. Plus it can stretch a little. I think 3M clear heavy duty packing tape would be a better choice.