Just a general post regarding cockpit emergency exit windows. This has been a recent topic on Eagle Lounge, and I'm curious to see what other airlines (if any) have limitations on the use of their emergency exits.

Eagle currently limits the use of the DV window for emergencies only! (Embraer Fleet) Although a big concern among pilots is if the window will actually open. On IOE a few years back, as instructed by the FAA, we are taught how to open and remove the DV window on the E-145. Mine did not open due to MTX glueing the window shut after replacing the seals.

These are some common concerns as well as day to day uses concerning cabin over pressurisarion with the use of PCA carts, and opening the window to relieve pressure. We are constantly reminded that it is a limitation and that the window should never be opened unless its an emergency.

Personally, I always make it a habit to open the window as part of my preflight. After, its our lives on the line should something go wrong!

Enjoy

 

We don't have that problem on the Saab The problem we face is if we can't get the cockpit door open or the crew hatch up top open ... we're pretty much screwed

 

No limitations at XJT with the window.

 

you don't open yours to hand out paper work or occassionaly clean your own window?

 

We opened the DV windows all the time in the Brasilia when I was at Skywest. Aren't they made to be opened? There's no placard that says, "For Emergency Use Only." Maybe if your mechanics were maintaining the windows properly, it wouldn't be an issue. Sounds like somebody in Eagle management getting a bug up their butt for no reason.

By the way, I also open(ed) the windows on the 737 and -88.

 

We had a fire @ TSA caused by the seals not doing there jobs properly, and a drain clogging. This led to the don't open the window policy. Once, I noticed one semi glued shut. I wish that maintenance would just maintain them, but they don't. And I sure don't want fire, so I leave mine shut.

 

Policy is policy and must be followed. However, at X-Jet (Continental Express) when we first got the RJ's I would taxi with the window open and sometimes remove it during ground time on a nice day. My personal feeling is that knowing how to operate the window in real life situations is a good idea. However, from a management standpoint I can see---- one gift of god to aviation ends up jacking up the window, not getting it closed, mx called, missed connections and the logical conclusion from the ivory towers is: train on the window and then don't touch it.

 

Yep, and it's a great policy for those days when it's 90 and the APU is deferred... You definitely don't want the pilots to get any airflow going... Much better that they pass out 'cause it's 130 degrees in the cockpit...

 

Here's a novel idea. If it's 90 degrees out with no APU or ground air... don't accept the aircraft!! It's a safety issue both for the employees and the comfort of the passengers.

 

No kidding. Mesa killed an old guy several years ago. The summer heat in PHX routinely destroyed APU's and of course mesa is never in a hurry to fix anything. So they taxi out, get in a long line-up and cabin temps soar to some ridiculous level (PHX summer heat), and the guy dies.

I'm pretty sure the crew got sued personally, case was still pending when I left...but I imagine they lost. There are plenty on un-healthy pax on your airplane. Whether his death was heat-related or not, it would be easy to convince a jury that it was...