View Full Version : Removal of door
Awnick
21st Sep 2010, 10:42
Hi all,
Just wondering if there are any special regs for flying with a door removed in a s/e plane.
Cheers :ok:
VH-XXX
21st Sep 2010, 10:50
Some aircraft are approved for doors-off operation. Refer to the POH.
Jober.as.a.Sudge
21st Sep 2010, 11:06
Just beware of reduced elevator effectiveness, due turbulent airflow as a consequence of the removed door. In some airframes you effectively lose 1/2 the elevator.
Charlie Foxtrot India
21st Sep 2010, 11:38
It comes as an engineering order and the POH will have a supplement with the operating limitations.
These engineering orders are not transferrable (for the person who asked if they could photocopy mine... :mad: )
Must be that time of year again huh? Beware of aerial photographers with big promises!
scroogee
21st Sep 2010, 23:38
As noted- depends on the aircraft. PA28-180 OK, PA28-151/161 not OK. C172/182 OK with appropriate placard and limitations (Max Vno, Max 30 degrees AOB?) - numbers from memory don't quote me!
Interestingly C150 is approved but C152 not - a bit of data that was not transfered in the type certificate as far as I can tell.
Most light twins with a foward/crew door not ok due to control issues. Aircraft with rear doors usually approved with limits- depends if anyone has used it for parachute ops etc already.
Charlie Foxtrot India
22nd Sep 2010, 02:38
I have engineering orders for door off ops for the PA28 151, 161 and 181 - the 181 also allows removal of the baggage door. Have also seen them for the PA32, front and back doors.
Metro man
22nd Sep 2010, 06:44
From memory it can be done on a C206 (rear doors), with a wind deflector in place and an override on the flap cut out switch. Check with an engineer.
Just beware of reduced elevator effectiveness, due turbulent airflow as a consequence of the removed door. In some airframes you effectively lose 1/2 the elevator.
never had any such problems operating c182/206's with no door
could always hire a jump ship.......
Awnick
22nd Sep 2010, 10:15
Cheers for the replies :ok:
Checked the POH and nothing about door removal, so no door, no go.
Cheers again
kiwi chick
22nd Sep 2010, 22:49
Hey Awnick
That's a shame, it's something everyone should experience at least once :ok:
CFI I'm glad you chipped in, I was getting a bit worried. I flew as a photography pilot for 18 months - with the door off of course - in PA28-180 OK, PA28-151/161 yet scroogee was telling me I can't :eek:
Awnick, if you do end up finding another bird to fly with the door off, my one piece of advice is this - wear overalls and chapstick! :ok:
Cheers,
KC :)
scroogee
23rd Sep 2010, 00:16
Kiwi Chick- possibly you could- I'm working off 10 year old memories- if you have something in writing i.e. POH or supplement etc then no problem- I just seem to recall that when we looked to do a door off op in a PA28-151/161 (can't even remember exactly which) we could not find anything (at that time) but the 180 did have a POH note.
kiwi chick
23rd Sep 2010, 04:04
*phew* :E
It surely was in the handbook. Well... the one I checked, anyway... :O