New product offerings for cockpit windows of the A320 family of aircraft
May 1, 2016
As the global fleet of the Airbus A320 family grows, operators are continually looking for innovative options to manage their transparency requirements. To meet customers’ needs,
our Aerospace Transparencies team initiated a design development program to enhance the service performance and reliability as well to offer innovative repair programs for the all-glass cockpit windows and framed assemblies. The design enhancements for all A320 cockpit windows have focused on advanced interlayers, improved moisture seals, new retainer design and environmental sustainability.
Since the introduction of the A320 cockpit window enhancements to the industry, the flight deck windows are performing very well in the field. According to Brent Wright, Global Director - Aerospace Transparencies, “Our customers report significant performance gains for both the windshield (part number NP165331-01/-02) that entered service in 2010 and the aft-fixed side window (part number NP165333A1/A2) that entered service in 2012. There have been no arcing events or other age-related failures in either of these parts since they were introduced.” Art Scott, Global Market Director - Commercial Transparencies, adds, “We expect the same outstanding performance from the sliding side window (part number NP165332A1/A2) that is now being delivered to Airbus for production aircraft builds. Our team will work closely with our customers to meet their expectations for in-service performance and service life.
In addition to performance gains for the new glass panels, we achieved a combined weight savings of 11.8 pounds (over 5 kilograms) on the 4 side window panels compared to the options offered by the other glass suppliers. These enhancements demonstrate our long term and ongoing contributions to improve the in-service performance and benefits of our cockpit windows.”
Building on the field results from the windshield and aft fixed cockpit windows, we launched a design initiative to enhance the No. 2 windows. According to Dr. Khushroo Lakdawala, Global Director for Transparencies Engineering and Technology, “When the technical team began the design and manufacturing activities for the No. 2 window assembly, we looked at design approaches for improved service life as well as reparability. These factors became design drivers to meet the requirements of our customers.”
A simplified clamp design was introduced that allows easier replacement of the panel assembly and that offers options to customers for the reparability of the PPG manufactured side window panels. The new retainer design, introduced as part of the simplified clamp design, allows the retainer set to be reused to repair the No. 2 panel assembly. According to Scott, “The new and enhanced design for the No. 2 panel gives the operator new repair options for our windows, resulting in additional cost savings.”
Customers have several options available for the replacement and repair of the No. 2 window panel and the sliding frame assembly.
- The operator purchases a complete window assembly (PPG NP165332A1/A2), replacing the window assembly on the basic sliding frame.
- If the operator is repairing a PPG sliding window assembly (NP165332A1/A2), the operator now can purchase just the PPG window panel (NP165332B1/B2) and re-use the existing retainers during the repair. This is the low cost option for the basic sliding frame.
All repair procedures have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Operators can perform the repair per the Airbus A320 Aircraft Maintenance Manual dedicated to PPG windows, or utilize PPG’s FAA authorized repair stations. It has never been easier to take advantage of PPG’s unmatched quality and reliability.
To learn more about how you can benefit from the new designs and the repair program, contact your PPG account manager. New product offerings continued from page 1 Airbus A320 No. 2 Window
A full listing of PPG’s A320 part numbers and interchangeability are listed below.
| Description |
PPG Part Numbers |
| #1 LH Main Windshield |
NP165331-1 |
| #1 RH Main Windshield |
NP165531-2 |
| #2 LH Sliding Side Window Assembly |
NP165532A1 |
| #2 RH Sliding Side Window Assembly |
NP165532A2 |
| #2 LH Window Panel |
NP165332B1 |
| #2 RH Window Panel |
NP165532B2 |
| #2 LH Retainer Kit |
NP165332C1 |
| #2 RH Retainer Kit |
NP165332C2 |
| #3 LH AR-Fixed Window Assembly |
NP165333A1 |
| #3 RH AR-Fixed Window Assembly |
NP165333A2 |
| #3 LH Window PAnel |
NP165333B1 |
| #3 RH Window PAnel |
NP165333B2 |
| #3 LH Retainer Kit |
NP165333C1 |
| #3 RH Retainer Kit |
NP165333C2 |
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