PA31 gear doors
Navajo Inner Gear Door Removal STC
First link I found trying to find a picture of this STC. Would I be right in saying that the fairing they are talking about is similar to the B737 in the way of a rubber ring forming a seal in the wheel well?
First link I found trying to find a picture of this STC. Would I be right in saying that the fairing they are talking about is similar to the B737 in the way of a rubber ring forming a seal in the wheel well?
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Pacific
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Thanks for that, it looks good. The other STC does not have this detail of the finished kit, and that makes a difference in presentation. The price is not too bad either. Maybe I will go for it after all. I still would like some info from someone who has had it done, especially in regard to high altitude performance.
411, I already asked about an improved bracket, but there is not one approved and my maint guy will not do anything that is not fully legal. If I can find paperwork covering it I can go in that direction as well. Field approvals are not easy any longer.
We have replaced the bracket already, but the new one does not seem any stronger. The system works well if you follow all the servicing requirements, including lubrication and door ADs, as well as regular rigging during major inspections. Removing the doors would reduce this work as well as remove the AD requirements, so it has an advantage. I would like to allow the airplane to fly back to maintenance if this problem developed in the field. I would not be happy to authorize a takeoff if the gear doors were not retracting properly in case there was a problem with an engine at the same time. I know that would be highly unlikely, but it would be hard to justify at an accident inquiry.
Anyway, thanks for the information, it has been helpful. I might have enough now to make a case for it. I am glad there were some adults here after all.
411, I already asked about an improved bracket, but there is not one approved and my maint guy will not do anything that is not fully legal. If I can find paperwork covering it I can go in that direction as well. Field approvals are not easy any longer.
We have replaced the bracket already, but the new one does not seem any stronger. The system works well if you follow all the servicing requirements, including lubrication and door ADs, as well as regular rigging during major inspections. Removing the doors would reduce this work as well as remove the AD requirements, so it has an advantage. I would like to allow the airplane to fly back to maintenance if this problem developed in the field. I would not be happy to authorize a takeoff if the gear doors were not retracting properly in case there was a problem with an engine at the same time. I know that would be highly unlikely, but it would be hard to justify at an accident inquiry.
Anyway, thanks for the information, it has been helpful. I might have enough now to make a case for it. I am glad there were some adults here after all.
Have you asked about the maint org designing an Engineering Order? I would have thought that if this was a wide spread problem there would be a replacement bracket available?
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Pacific
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I will price that out. There is an engineering firm on the field. We have the gear out right now and this would be a good time to do it.
My quick fix has always been the main gear doors, but it makes sense to go after the real problem first.
My quick fix has always been the main gear doors, but it makes sense to go after the real problem first.
