it must be hard to see ( 0) ( O )
Of course, the wipers are stronger than your typical car's. The airflow actually forces the wipers into the windshield, and their staying on isn't too much of a problem. (Haven't you heard about that BA pilot -Capt. Timothy Lancaster I think- that got sucked out of the cockpit and got pinned to the fuselage until the plane landed?) Also, engine bleed air, which is the process where engine air is diverted to shoot into and over the windshield to divert and/or blow off contaminants and to de-fog the windshield is used on quite a few models of aircraft. Also, at 500 knots, the water just gets blown off in thin, thin streams or beads. Wipers are rarely used during cruise, and pretty much the only reason they're there is for landing/taxiing in rainy conditions to increase crew visibility, where the lower speed doesn't remove as much water. (Also, the wipers staying on would not be as big an issue at landing speeds )
Planes fly at around 300 knots. The wipers would be forced closer to the windshield with that speed, rather than away from the windshield.
The force of the wind moves the water. Plus planes usually try to fly above the storms.
