Sunburning thru cockpit windows??

[F/O]

Hey all

Just wondering if anyone knows how cockpit windows are treated to protect against UV radiation and how much they screen out.

My understanding is even normal window or car glass screens out UVB and UVC. It reduces the levels of UVA but not does not eliminate it, so you can still burn through this glass.

I would think the high-dollar windows on transport category aircraft would do better than that, as well they should considering the high altitudes we operate at, and thus the stronger levels of UV at those elevations.

Specifically I'm wondering about the Boeing products and the older Lears with the thick Plexi windshields. I hadn't given much thought to this until I started flying behind those greenhouse windows in the Lear. I had the sun on my side the other day, and it was so warm on my arm I could almost feel it cookin'!! Infra-red is one thing though, UV is another.

Any info appreciated.....

 

[Delta3]

I read somewhere that Americans on average have a darker skin tone on the left side of their face than their right side, and it's exactly the opposite in Australia due to driving.

I bet it's a lot worse up above the clouds and stuff though.

 

[rumpletumbler]

I like to take old sectionals and newspapers and cut them out in the shape of the cockpit windows and the make one about 20 layers thick. Make sure you don't block the air vents and good internal lighting and wedge it or them in place just after takeoff. Every flight is IFR. Looks funny in the logbook but just take photos to supplement. Sometimes if I want to see a landmark etc. I'll go back and look out the passengers windows. What is really fun is if you can get the passengers to participate is to cover ALL the windows and disengage the autopilot and then try and keep the aircraft level with everyone running up and down the aisle. Until you get a group that is really good at it I would recommend leaving the heading hold engaged to begin with. Once you get the hang of it you can turn it off and make it more exciting!

RT

 

[uavchaser]

i usually get a lot of UAV through my windows

 

[MyRadarIsOut]

I always put the copilot on the side that the sun is on. That way, it evens out his exposure.

 

[FlyToVegas]

fair complexion

I always...yep, always, fly with some SPF 50...yep 50,in my bag and reapply every two hours. BTW, I do not use sunscreen, I use sunblock and there's a difference. I only use products that contain one of two active ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. I always had great skin till I started flying and now I am extra careful. I did research and found that the most common cancer is melanoma. The most common place to get melanoma is behind the knee. Location #2 is on the ear.

 

[EagleRJ]

I'm guessing you don't have much to worry about from UV rays, especially with windows that have the thin metal heating layer for anti-fog. Car windshields supposedly block 100% of UVA and UVB, and aircraft windows are much thicker. As long as they have a glass layer, you should be OK. I don't know about plexiglass, though.

If paranoia is your thing, you should worry about cosmic radiation. The X-rays, gamma rays, and assorted atomic particles are much more intense above the Earth's atmosphere, which filters it all out for those on the ground. I've read that on one trip across the Atlantic, you recieve the equivalent rads of one chest x-ray. During increased sunspot activity, the radiation level can exceed the OSHA levels accepted for nuclear power plant workers. The higher you go, the worse it is, since the density of the atmosphere is the only thing that will protect you. The radiation is most intense above 35,000, since the majority of the atmosphere is below that altitude.

[http://www.space.com/spacewatch/space_weather.html]

I guess the bottom line is, you're gonna die of something!

 

[Wowjack]

Cancer

A captain I know got cancer on his forehead from exposed rays! He told me to always wear some protection like SPF 30.

 

[Timebuilder]

Recently, I flew a lot of legs toward the sun. Last week, I noticed my face had developed a tan, while the rest of me hadn't.

I'm going to look into the sun block. Thanks for the thread.

 

[darien]

skin cancer facts

Fly to Vegas
I'm a cancer specialist here's some detailed facts about skin Ca.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in the US. There are 3 types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The outer layer of the skin is made up of squamous cells. Basal cells are found below the squamous cells. Melanocytes are in the deepest layer of epidermis. Melanoma develops from melanocytes. There are a relatively small number of deaths from skin cancer compared to other types of Ca. Basal and squamous cell Ca are easily treated. Melanoma is the type that most commonly spreads to other parts of your body. This is the type you have to really detect early in order to save your life. Here's what to look out for especially if you have a lot of moles or fair skin.
This is the criteria we use to identify melanoma.
ABCDEs of Melanoma Identification

Asymmetry -- Both sides of the growth do not match each other in terms of shape and/or size.

Border Irregularity -- The edges of the growth are ragged, notched, or blurred (versus smooth and well-defined edges).

Color -- The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance.

Diameter -- The size of the growth is greater than 6 mm in diameter (roughly the size of a pencil eraser). Any enlargement of the growth should also be noted.

Elevation -- Unusual growth upward from original mole surface.

*Also note if a mole bleeds or becomes ulcerated it should be looked at by a dermatologist

Common sites skin cancer appears especially melanoma.
Women more common on extremities (legs)
Males more common on the back and head and neck area.

Even though more people are being diagnosed with skin ca each year Less people are dying from it This is due to the fact that people are catching it in its infancy.

You guys have the right idea. Keep putting on the sunblock Do not forget the ears. I've seen many men with melanoma on their ears.

The SPF number does not have a direct relationship to the amount of rays that it blocks. SPF 15 blocks around 97% of rays and no spf 30 does not block any greater than 100%. So at least get a SPF rating of 15.

Great day to ya.