Eli5: why do planes not have their windshield one the bottom half?

Question

If you look at planes they allways have their windshield go from horizon to 45 degrees or more above the horizon. Why is it not the other way around? There is way more to see and be aware of beneath the plane than above. So why do they not do this?

In: 13

Answer 1

There really isn’t more to see below the plane. All you need to know if how far from the ground you are and the on-board instruments will do a way better job of that than a pilot trying to visually judge the distance. When you’re traveling hundreds of miles per hour, what’s important is what’s in front of you.