There is one event in particular that caused me to seek a solution for UV protection in the windows of my 1978 V35B Bonanza (which does not have air conditioning). I had to fly from Charleston, SC, to Nashville, TN, around lunch time in the middle of the summer. By the time I got to Nashville, I had a sunburn, which was embarrassing for my afternoon business appointments and also unpleasant over the next several days. With a history of skin cancer in my family, I figured that UV protection in the windows of my Bonanza would help.
In addition to sun damage, I also struggled with temperature control. Even with the firewall cut off knob all the way out, all the gaskets changed, and the ventilation system working optimally, my Bonanza still gets very hot on the ramp and during climb out and descent in summertime afternoons in the south.
To address the sun and heat, I investigated everything from cheap stick on sunscreens that didn’t look like they would work very well to expensive replacement of all the windows. Jet Shades seemed to be the best solution for me. Here’s why.
I have not gotten a sunburn. And I feel safer from skin cancer with 99+% of UV blocked. With 80% of heat blocked, the cockpit is also much, much cooler. In fact, Jet Shades are so effective that I no longer feel the urge to move my Rosen sun visors to block the sun. I am also taking trips to places and at times of the day that I would not have done without Jet Shades, so I’m getting more enjoyment and use out of the plane. And with perfect optical quality, there is no visual impairment whatsoever.
