Snap-in window assembly and method

A snap-in window assembly for an aircraft having a sidewall with an inner perimeter that defines an opening, the assembly comprising:

• an inner window frame attachable to the sidewall adjacent to an inner perimeter, the inner window frame defining a first opening,
• an outer window frame readily attachable to the inner window frame by a plurality of fastening devices releasably secured to an accommodating protrusion on the outer window frame and that further snap over the perimeter of the inner window frame adjacent the first opening, the outer window frame defining a second opening;
• and
• a means for releasably coupling the outer window frame and the inner window frame within the first opening of the inner window frame, wherein the releasably coupling means includes a shaped flange of the inner window frame attached to the outer side wall by one or more spring clips and coupled to a hook shaped deformable flange of the outer window frame and a pawl latch mechanism for engaging the shaped flange along one or more index points to couple and decouple the window assembly from the outer sidewall.