More Research on "The great center strap debate"

[n86121]

Comrades!

Never knowing when to leave anything alone, I felt need to 'drill down' on this topic a bit more. Yes, that IS a pun and I want full credit!

Please eyeball the attached PDF and throw rocks at it if you feel the need.

If you look back at decisions and actions made years ago, it seems 'THE STRAP' today really just boils down to a matter of personal preference.

....As long as you are NOT in a pressurized 337.

Which is fine. I like freedom, don't you?

Years ago, before cancer got him, a good personal friend and Potomac-based pilot Alfonso Diaz DC dug deeply on this 'behind the green (gov) door' (within FAA and NTSB). You may not have known this, but he had been an FAA flight safety inspector, as well as air traffic controller, lots of clearances, etc etc etc.

He found ...no issues.

Zip. Null. Zippo. Big goose egg.

While there IS always the possibility 337 windows have been popping out all over the world, left and right, chances are at least one would have been reported somewhere.

Zip. Null. Zippo. Big goose egg.

He put a new windshield in his 336 ...and then hit a bird. He sent me photos. Yikes.

To get the perspective of a well-known and widely trusted IA/ A&P, very familiar with these airframes, I got into this discussion with Mike Busch of Savvy Aviation.

His reply in my report.

As with most everything, today's practices are often just vague repetitions of the past, having entirely forgotten the rhyme or reason for those past decisions.

Which may or may no longer apply at all...

Enjoy