rmstein@ieee.org
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2018 19:44:30 -0700
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44383220
Aviation safety expert Professor Graham Braithwaite of Cranfield University:
``Cabin crew need to be able to see outside the aircraft if there is an
emergency. Being able to see outside the aircraft in an emergency is
important, especially if an emergency evacuation has to take place. Flight
attendants would need to check outside the aircraft in an emergency, for
example for fire, before opening a door and commencing an evacuation - and
anything that needed power to do this may not be easy to get certified by
an aviation safety regulator.'' Prof Braithwaite said the main obstacle
in a windowless aircraft would be passenger perceptions of the
technology.
However, aviation regulator the European Aviation Safety Agency said: "We
do not see any specific challenge that could not be overcome to ensure a
level of safety equivalent to the one of an aircraft fitted with cabin
windows.
In addition to emergency evacuation slides, perhaps an emergency "peep hole" to supplement camera or screen failure?
[Perhaps the pilots would not need windows either, because everything is
computer controlled? PGN]