If you are a frequent flyer, these holes must have caught your attention. These holes, positioned in the middle and lower part of the window, are small, but their ingenuity is great.
“Breathing Hole” or “vent hole” and is among the important features of airplanes.
Some people have this hole whether it is risky but on the contrary, it is an engineering idea that prevents risks.
Aircraft windows consist of three layers: inner, middle and outer.
These layers are often made of acrylic material. The innermost layer protects the next layer and the passengers; It is a plastic cover. If “breathing hole” located in the middle layer. The outer layer is the last layer to cope with the harsh weather conditions outside the aircraft.
The pressure in the cabin of a standard airliner is above sea level. 2,500 meters is the same as the pressure at altitude (This altitude was taken up to 1,800 meters on Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 type advanced aircraft).
As the plane gains altitude, the pressure outside and in the cabin begins to decrease. This is the reason for that strange feeling in our ears, we feel the effect of our inner pressure. The pressure outside is of course much lower than the pressure in the cabin. Here in airplane windows 2nd and 3rd layers interface between this pressure. It is designed durable enough to resist this strong difference.
Let’s come to the important function of the small hole:
This hole is in the cabin with the pressure between the 2nd and 3rd layers. balances the pressure. The main pressure is supported by the outer layer, so the middle layer is not loaded too much. Thanks to this tiny hole, this is possible.
When the plane rises to normal cruising altitude, ice crystals begin to form around this hole.
This is because the warm air in the cabin comes into contact with the cold window surface. The moisture accumulated between these two layers is discharged from the hole and It is ensured that the windows do not fog up and do not freeze. Otherwise, it would not be possible to watch those magnificent cloudscapes.
So what happens if it cracks and air gets inside?
In such a scenario, the amount of air leaking from this hole would be very low, so the pressure balancing system will overcome this problem.
In summary; this little hole that doesn’t seem like much It is one of the essential features of airplanes.
Sources: 1, 2
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