Looking for input on what to install on the doors to prevent the wind from damaging same. A restraint anchored at the top of the door to the airframe or a catch latch on the exterior and the rear lift strut are being considered.
Any ideas appreciated.
After 3 1/2 years of restoration, N4369E may be airworthy soon. Now, what do all these controls do?
Chief Door Restraints
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Mike Datema
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2005 13:30
- Contact:
Re: Chief Door Restraints
Mike,
I had ( and still do have) this problem. When I first worked on it , obtained the drawings for the original AERONCA parts and made up new stops. This was a disaster ! It amounts to a clamp assembly which is bolted onto the rear strut which then only gave the door a slide-over catch with no consideration to paint damage on the door and really was of no import to potential wind damage. I probably have the drawings if you want them. When I got my Chief, it had the struts wrapped with about 3 inches of a foam tape material which matched the Strut color very well and actually did a very good job of protection against "incidental" damage such as a passenger allowing the door to swing free and hit the strut. I'm currently back to that. You can probably find a good tape buffer material at Aircraft Spruce or Wag-aero or such. A good color match (or contrast) helps with appearance.
Have also seen other approaches to this which include a snap-catch which is mounted on the strut and engages a fastener metal fixture mounted on the outside surface of the door. This essential approach is also used with magnetic fixtures. These all look like shade-tree mechanic designs to me and I don't think any of them are really a "wind" solution.
The only good-looking solution I have seen is an approach using small gas cylinders affixed to the inside of the cockpit wall and inside surfaces of the doors. Ran across this on cessna 172s/182s owned by a rental FBO. The cylinders are easy enough, they are just what you have on an auto hood or tailgate of an SUV tailgate. But this approach was a $2500 fix requiring at least 337's on the Cessnas. Will be watching your thread in hopes someone has a practical solution for the problem. If you want the drawings I discussed above, let me know. it will take a while.
Dale
I had ( and still do have) this problem. When I first worked on it , obtained the drawings for the original AERONCA parts and made up new stops. This was a disaster ! It amounts to a clamp assembly which is bolted onto the rear strut which then only gave the door a slide-over catch with no consideration to paint damage on the door and really was of no import to potential wind damage. I probably have the drawings if you want them. When I got my Chief, it had the struts wrapped with about 3 inches of a foam tape material which matched the Strut color very well and actually did a very good job of protection against "incidental" damage such as a passenger allowing the door to swing free and hit the strut. I'm currently back to that. You can probably find a good tape buffer material at Aircraft Spruce or Wag-aero or such. A good color match (or contrast) helps with appearance.
Have also seen other approaches to this which include a snap-catch which is mounted on the strut and engages a fastener metal fixture mounted on the outside surface of the door. This essential approach is also used with magnetic fixtures. These all look like shade-tree mechanic designs to me and I don't think any of them are really a "wind" solution.
The only good-looking solution I have seen is an approach using small gas cylinders affixed to the inside of the cockpit wall and inside surfaces of the doors. Ran across this on cessna 172s/182s owned by a rental FBO. The cylinders are easy enough, they are just what you have on an auto hood or tailgate of an SUV tailgate. But this approach was a $2500 fix requiring at least 337's on the Cessnas. Will be watching your thread in hopes someone has a practical solution for the problem. If you want the drawings I discussed above, let me know. it will take a while.
Dale
Re: Chief Door Restraints
I haven't got to that point yet (wings are off) but is it possible to use a restraining strap in order to limit the door travel. Way back when I worked for a trucking company (former life) I remember our Ford trucks using a restraining strap.
Just a thought
Mike
Just a thought
Mike
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Paul Agaliotis
- Posts: 2589
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 18:49
- Location: San Martin, California
- Contact:
Re: Chief Door Restraints
Mike,
I find it's easy to just hold on to the door. There has been cases where you need to open the door pretty far. A restraint would limit this availability unless it has some kind of quick release.
Paul
I find it's easy to just hold on to the door. There has been cases where you need to open the door pretty far. A restraint would limit this availability unless it has some kind of quick release.
Paul
Mailing Adress : Paul Agaliotis 2060 E. San Martin, San Martin,Calif. 95046
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John Baker
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 08:50
- Location: Ophelia, Virginia
- Contact:
Re: Chief Door Restraints
Mike,
On my former Chief, N86176, I had the original style catches that clamp arount the rear struts. The material was polished stainless steel I believe. To protect the bottom of the door and the paint, a small plate of thin stainless, approximately 1 x 1 1/2", formed to wrap around the lower edge of the door, was riveted in place. It was captured by the rear strut catch. I thought it worked rather well. It seemed simple, light, mostly original, elegant and effective. I would think the "effective" aspect was due to proper adjustment. I had the option of letting the door just rest against the catch, as when exiting the plane, or pushing it a little further so that it was captured by the catch for more windy situations and hand propping.
Tailwinds...
On my former Chief, N86176, I had the original style catches that clamp arount the rear struts. The material was polished stainless steel I believe. To protect the bottom of the door and the paint, a small plate of thin stainless, approximately 1 x 1 1/2", formed to wrap around the lower edge of the door, was riveted in place. It was captured by the rear strut catch. I thought it worked rather well. It seemed simple, light, mostly original, elegant and effective. I would think the "effective" aspect was due to proper adjustment. I had the option of letting the door just rest against the catch, as when exiting the plane, or pushing it a little further so that it was captured by the catch for more windy situations and hand propping.
Tailwinds...
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Mike Datema
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2005 13:30
- Contact:
Re: Chief Door Restraints
For the time, I am going with Paul's suggestion. The doors were reskinned and the geometry changed. It will take some thought. Replaced outside door handles with an antique Ford style that worked and looks good. Will post low pixel photo soon. AI signed off last week. Inaugural flight next week after W&B. Learned a lot... mostly learned what I don't know which is even more.
Re: Chief Door Restraints
Have you considered an automotive lift strut. the auto parts places have literally dozens of different ones in stock. NAPA had a chart that used compressed lenght, extended length, and amount of weight it could support. they also sold the balls they attach to. Just a thought.
Dik Holder, N1441H, Queen of the Berry Patch
Dik Holder, N1441H, Queen of the Berry Patch