Hi John - I know what you mean about cockpit areas - as you are dealing with compressed & sometimes rotated cross sections.....
But here is a VERY brief method is use as a base for making round windows. The key I have learned is to use few cross sections - & add as you progress....
This is the easy one - a rounded passenger window
FiG 1. The Obvious: Starting with the 32 sided tube.
FiG 2. In Cross Section Mode - In Side View - Go to the cross section which will be the CENTRE of the window. In Front View - Press the X symetry button & move points as shown to group towards the top & bottom of the window.
FiG 3. In Side View - Constrain X & Y & move the Cross Sections either side of the centre cross section in as shown.
FiG 4. Go to Centre Cross section again & click Insert Cross Section. With X & Y constrained - move this new cross section back towards the rear of the window.
FiG 5. Continue to make new Cross Sections from the centre & move back until you see the round shape taking effect.
FiG 6. Repeat the same procedure on the other side of your 'window' - though obviously creating the new cross sections from the forward edge.
FiG 7. Once the shape is as required go to Point Mode.
IMPORTANT: Do not remove points until you are happy with your shape. It's best to sav e your project as New Projects as you proceed. For Instance 'apache1.fsc, apache2.fsc,....etc...)
Click the Mouse Select button & select the points in stages & press Delete. Watch you progress in the top right window.
FiG 8. One simple round window.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo da Vinci