Champ - Flying with the door off

john-ranger · Post by **john-ranger** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 15:37

Flying with the door off. Is there any special requirements to do this? I'm not sure now would be a good time, (it's getting cooler) but it would be nice to fly like this in the summerl

Post by **joea** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 15:47

Thought that we already went over this?

A STC is required to do this legally. There is only one STC for Chief and one STC for Champs.

A gent named Scott Johnson has this STC and if you want to buy it for your airplane he can help.

There are limitations on what you can do, speeds and so on but personally I would not do it without the STC. If something "not so good" happens the insurance company would not pay off should the plane be flown like this without the STC.

Joe A

Jody Wittmeyer · Post by **Jody Wittmeyer** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 16:10

The type certificate and minimum equipment allows you to fly the champ with the door off, for the purposes of skydiving, or photography. You need Scott's STC to fly with the door off any oter times. Contact Scott Johnson

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 18:25

Is the STC just paper work like the auto gas STC or are there mods to be made?

Dennis

FlyChamps · Post by **FlyChamps** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 19:40

The mod is that you take the door off.

This STC, like many others, is just paper work.

WWhunter · Post by **WWhunter** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 20:40

Hmm, just carry your camera.

SFC Hiatt · Post by **SFC Hiatt** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 22:40

Hmm what about the Chief drivers? Can I take the doors off if I have the camera with me?

Post by **joea** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 23:36

Chris,

The Chief does not have the "parachute or photo" exemption in the TCDS. I know of people who have taken their door off and pretended to be taking photos but if you had an accident or the like, am sure that they would be dancing around with the insurance company. Doing things legal sure makes life a lot simpler and less painful at times.

There is one STC for taking ONE door off on the Chief and I am working with the owner of this STC to get it transferred into either my or the NAA's name. Problem is that he is a WW2 vet (101st airborne, parachuted into Normandy at 0100 in the morning on 6 June) and is on the verge of being senile, so its a challenge.

When something happens will report back to the list about the Chief's.

Joe

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 00:30

Joe--

I have the STC for my Champ. But am looking in the Specs for the exemption without the STC--I can't find it. BTW--if you do take the door off make sure the back windows are secure.

Doug

jack duncan · Post by **jack duncan** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 09:17

I have been fly'n with the door off all summer, it's great fly'n from the front seat, but a little windy from the back, the STC says that VNE is reduced to 100 mph, no loose objects, no spins, no smoking, don't fly in the rain. I have no problem with that, my problem is that I have to put the door back on as it's getting cold, but as soon as it warms up again, off it go's, and stays off as long as the wx is warm. If I had a door on the left side like the chiefs, I'd take it off too. Jack

Jody Wittmeyer · Post by **Jody Wittmeyer** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:57

No mod's, so to speak. A list of do not do's. I believe you have to put a strap across the door, but that's it.

Mikek · Post by **Mikek** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 16:47

Jody Wittmeyer wrote:No mod's, so to speak. A list of do not do's. I believe you have to put a strap across the door, but that's it.

With the STC on Champ no strap needed but I think a strap or bar would give the non pilot setting in the front a better feeling. The door opening is pretty large.

Mike K

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:36

I have a cover over my baggage area so when flying with the door off don't have to unload it.

Doug

mojorisin70 · Post by **mojorisin70** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 23:04

I took the door off a my 7EC back in the summer. I said I will never have it on again, as long as the weater is warm. I called the guy with the stc, but never got a call back. Guess I will put a disposable camara in while the door is off, and save the $50 for the stc, and have memories to boot.

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 09:55

It was 10 degree here this morning. Think I'll keep my door on

.

Mike

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Champ - Flying with the door off

Champ - Flying with the door off

fly'n with door off.