Seaplane Doors?

spduffee · Post by **spduffee** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 5:45 am

I saw this on Barnstormers. Maybe one of you owns this, or knows the owner. It's the first time I have ever heard of "Seaplane Doors" on a 170 or otherwise (except for experimentals and Maules). Where do you get these?

170 with seaplane doors.jpg

Post by **GAHorn** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 5:54 am

Never heard of them before (but there's lots about these things that constantly surprise....) But if you find the owner to ask.... you might mention to him that rudder gust lock will destroy his upper rudder in a stiff wind or gust.

spduffee · Post by **spduffee** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 6:25 am

Haha! Leave it to George to focus on the toe nails of an exotic belly dancer.....But, true, risky business that.

hilltop170 · Post by **hilltop170** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 7:09 am

Those are also known as jump doors used on skydive airplanes. I flew a C-182 up to Alaska from Texas one time that had one on the copilot side. They are easy to open and close in the air but leak air badly, wouldn't want one in rain or winter.

I never saw a need for them on a float plane, having a stock door is a good idea to help deflect propwash when someone needs to step out on the float to help dock the plane. A stock door also inhibits someone from walking in front of the strut while the engine is running which is a cardinal sin on floats.

He ones pictured look like home made observation doors.

spduffee · Post by **spduffee** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 7:25 am

I am not sure what benefit they would give, just different. I wasn't able to find anything online about them. Probably the bubble-window option would do well.
Speaking of Jump Doors, I coincidentally just finished watching tonight an older film, "Fandango". Nearly wet myself watching it. If you haven't watched it before, do so.

Post by **Bruce Fenstermacher** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:29 pm

gahorn wrote:But if you find the owner to ask.... you might mention to him that rudder gust lock will destroy his upper rudder in a stiff wind or gust.

To late. Already has damage. Look at the GREEN arrow tip for the wrinkled skin.

Screen Shot 2013-12-13 at 8.24.06 AM.png

T. C. Downey · Post by **T. C. Downey** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 4:26 pm

To answer the op's question, they are made by cutting off the lower forward corner of the door and changing the hinges to the top of the doors. Then using the corner of the door that was cut off to close the hole in the door frame left by cutting off the door.

blueldr · Post by **blueldr** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 6:18 pm

Interesting thread about the "Jump" type right hand door on the C-170. If anyone is further interested, I have a left hand door for sale in our wanted forum.

DaveF · Post by **DaveF** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 8:07 pm

T. C. Downey wrote:To answer the op's question, they are made by cutting off the lower forward corner of the door and changing the hinges to the top of the doors. Then using the corner of the door that was cut off to close the hole in the door frame left by cutting off the door.

In Alaska they cover the doors with screen to keep the mosquitoes out.

spduffee · Post by **spduffee** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:14 am

DaveF wrote:In Alaska they cover the doors with screen to keep the mosquitoes out.

They have mosquitoes in Alaska? Dang, I have always wanted to live in Alaska, but if they have a lot of mosquitoes, I guess I'll pass....

54170b · Post by **54170b** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 8:12 am

The other observation is that this isn't a seaplane

Post by **GAHorn** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:11 pm

It's a SEE-plane (and be-SEEN-plane.)

The International Cessna^® 170 Association

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