Aircraft external viewing system, apparatus, and method

A method of manufacturing an aircraft comprising:

• installing a floor deck in a fuselage;
• forming an observation opening in the fuselage;
• coupling a canopy assembly having a canopy to the fuselage, extending the canopy beyond the fuselage, forming a canopy volume;
• rotatably mounting a seat configured to seat a passenger on a platform assembly having a platform;
• and
• coupling an elevating system to the platform operable to facilitate positioning the seat between a first position located proximate the floor deck of the fuselage and a second position in which the passenger is at least partially positioned in the canopy volume.

An aircraft observation system adapted to be installed to a fuselage of an aircraft, the system comprising:

• a canopy extending beyond the fuselage and forming a canopy volume;
• a platform assembly having a platform and at least one seat rotatably coupled to the platform and adapted to seat a passenger;
• and
• an elevating system coupled to the support structure and to the platform assembly, the elevating system configured to facilitate positioning the passenger between a first position located proximate the floor deck of the fuselage and a second position in which the passenger is at least partially positioned in the canopy volume, the seat being rotatable on the platform at least when in the second position during the cruise phase.