Definition
A milky, cloudy, or fogged appearance in transparent material such as an aircraft windshield or window, caused by fine scratches, age, weathering, chemical exposure, or improper cleaning, which scatters light and reduces visibility through the surface.
Plain English
A foggy or cloudy look in the windshield or windows that makes it harder to see through them clearly.
Context Anchor
Seen during the visual preflight inspection when checking the windshield, side windows, canopy, and exterior light covers.
Derivation
From the English word 'haze,' meaning a thin mist or cloudiness in the air. Applied to windows, it describes a similar foggy, scattered look in the material itself rather than in the air.
Why Pilots Care
Hazing can reduce forward visibility or signal underlying surface damage that may affect structural integrity or aerodynamics.
Grounding Statement
If the windshield or window looks cloudy even after normal cleaning, that is the kind of condition being described as hazing.
Intuition Check
Hazing here does not mean teasing, initiation, or weather haze in the air. It means cloudiness or loss of clarity on an aircraft surface that should normally be clear.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot noted hazing on the left side of the windshield and made a point to avoid cleaning it with a dry cloth, which would worsen the condition.
Example Sentence 2
Hail had left small pits and hazing along the leading edge of the wing.