Seeing forward while flying
 

Hello Everyone,

My apologies if this has been asked before or if this is in the wrong forum.

I am wondering if there exists a commercial jet experience where you can see forward while flying? I am currently sitting in 1A on a 747, thinking beforehand that I would be able to see forward due to the shape of the nose. However, you cannot.

For some reason this seems appealing to me to be able to experience what the pilot does during flight, especially on a jumbo jet. Are there any aircrafts or specific carriers that offer this sort of experience?

Thanks in advance guys, much appreciated.

-flyinjer

It's not exactly a jumbo jet, but if you fly Cape Air around Massachusetts, to/from Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket for example, you get a great view through the windshield of their Cessna 402s.

(It can be a bit worrisome, though. When you see nothing but cloud out a side window, you may know intellectually that the pilots can't see anything either, but it doesn't really hit you. When you're looking out the same windshield and know the pilot sees nothing but the same clouds you do, it has much more gut impact. Knowing that the pilot's instruments are up to the tasks of keeping away from other planes and finding the airport doesn't change that impact much.)

Not really the same, but flying on an SAA A340 a couple of weeks ago, there was a camera mounted forward facing on the tail, and you could see the aircraft and the view forward on a monitors in the cabin.

I sat in the jumpseat on a corporate jet from SJC to SMO (near LAX) a few years ago. It's amazing how crowded that airspace is.

Seeing forward while flying
 

A380s often have cameras mounted that allow you to see some different views. but there's really no reason why an aircraft manufacturer would put windows on the nose of the plane other than those necessary for the pilots.

Wouldn't it be cool to have a seat on a glass window so you can look down?

YES!! This would be so rad. I'd pay a lot of money for this. I guess learning to fly is the only real way to do this eh?

There was an article a while ago about a concept aircraft called "Progress Eagle" which offers a "Pilot's Class" at the front of the airplane with windows facing forward. Check it out here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/2080...antum-Airplane

Even having the ability to see realtime video footage would be awesome. I didn't know about the cameras on the A380's, i'll have to check that out.