Currently running the A220 on the daily SEA-TUS and on two of the SEA-PHX flights.
I don't think I've ever heard of a jet with outstanding windshield wipers. I think the coating is more for taxiing. It's hard to taxi at dawn/dusk or at night in a constant mist without one or the other, it's not drizzle or rain, but it just covers the outside of the windshield. The coating, if properly maintained, actually works better than wipers. But it costs money, there's a short term application that only takes a couple of hours and, relatively speaking, is cheap. But it doesn't last very long, certainly not until the next MX inspection. The real application requires some equipment, some time and more money, but it will last until the airplane is down again for a more extensive inspection. The windshields are inspected with different criteria based on the last inspection. If someone is cheap, they'll apply the cheap stuff, it'll pass the inspection, and then become ineffective during the next small inspection between heavier inspections and end up having to do it right anyways halfway between the their last and next inspection at a time when the airplane is not supposed to be down for MX. And then the owner gets mad because his airplane is grounded and MX is trying to screw him over. Story of my life.
IMHO if you're airborne in a jet and the rain is coming down hard enough that the airflow won't allow you see out the front windows then wipers and coatings aren't going to help. Like I said, I think they're there to help pilots taxi.737 wipers do nothing but make noise and create visual illusions.
It isn't, it's like 3-4 feet at most, but it's far enough to cause injury if you don't nail the dismount.
If I remember correctly, the SAAB 340 was right at the height limit for not needing slides. I would have hated to jump from that one.
Who cares about the passengers? The forward cargo in the ATR was for
nope they help pretty significantly in the approach phase
