STC MOD FACT SHEET
BeechcraftExtra-Thick Windshields |
| Models: | Certain Earlier Beechcraft Bonanza, Baron, Debonair, and Travelair Aircraft. |
| Purpose: | Increases Windshield Thickness for a quieter cabin and greater impact resistance. |
Models / Part Numbers:
Bonanza / Baron / Debonair / Travelair
| E33 | (S/N CD-1007 Through CD-1118) | P/N 270.312 |
| E33A | (S/N CE-1 Through CE-179) | 270.375 |
| 35 | (S/N D-7977 Through D-8598) | 270.500 |
| 55 | (S/N TC-955 Through TC-1042, | (Apply to all aircraft listed) |
| TE-1 Through TE-451, | ||
| TG-2 Through TG-83) | ||
| 95 | (S/N TD-638 Through TD-707) |
The Original Design: Beechcraft mounts windshields for the Bonanza / Baron series aircraft in metal framesand the windshields with frames are supplied as assemblies. This is a very good mounting system as no holes need tobe drilled through the windshield itself for mounting. The windshield fits in the channel of the frame and is allowed to”float,” allowing for expansion and contraction. Beechcraft factory windshields for the above aircraft list for up to$2,600.00, depending on tint, and are supplied only in 1/4″ thickness. These windshields are very similar to the LPAero P/N 269.xxx series windshield series but have a more vertical “slope” common to all of the early Beech Bonanza,Baron, and Travelair aircraft.
The LP Aero Plastics, Inc. Mod: A windshield thicker than the original 1/4″ (.250″) thickness will not fit in the
frame channel, so the LP Aero Plastics Extra-Thick windshields are milled on the inside edge to fit the frame (see Fig. 1).
This allows the thicker windshield to appear identical to the original and still retain Beechcraft’s superior mounting method,
while providing a quieter cabin and greater impact resistance. The LP Aero Windshields are available in the standard 1/4″
(.250″) thickness as an FAA-PMA replacement part, or in 5/16″ (.312″), 3/8″ (.375″), and r” (.500″) Extra-Thick versions
as STC modifications. The 1/4″ part number is LP-270, and the STC Extra-Thick windshields add the thickness as a suffix
to the part number, i.e., LP-270.500 (r”). To dramatically reduce costs, LP Aero Plastics supplies only the acrylic
windshield, as the existing frame is reusable.
Competitive Information: Currently, there is no competition for thicker windshields in the standard configuration
for the above aircraft. However, for many years Beryl D’Shannon Aviation Specialties, Inc. has been manufacturing 1/4″ to
r” windshields for these earlier aircraft that are known as “Speed Sloped” windshields. This conversion changes the angle
or “rake” of the windshield by moving the base out farther on the cowl and giving the windshield a more aerodynamic shape.
If the aircraft has been converted to the Beryl D’Shannon windshield, the LP-270.xxx cannot be used.
Occasionally, you may also find an aircraft with a one-piece replacement windshield installed that does not use a frame,
does not change the “rake”of the windshield, and mounts with holes drilled through the windshield itself. In this situation,
since the windshield frame has been previously discarded, P/N 270.xxx cannot be used (the proper replacement for this
windshield is P/N 998). Also, since this replacement windshield and the Beryl D’Shannon “Speed Slope” windshield both
mount with screws through holes drilled through the windshield, a sure way to determine which is installed is to measure
down the center face of the installed windshield, from top to bottom, metal edge to metal edge. The “Speed Slope”
windshield will measure approximately 37″. The “non-Speed Slope” (P/N 998) will measure approximately 31.25″.
Options Available: Thicknesses from 1/4″ (.250″) to r” (.500″). As with all LP Aero Plastics Windshields and
Windows, Clear, Green, and Solar Gray tints are available.
