Doors

[sebecker]

Can the C-170 be flown without the doors?

sebecker

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Yes it can be flown with out one door for parachuting. You will need to get a letter from the FSDO in the area that the plane will be flown with one door. I've heard of people removing doors for aerial photography as well but don't know of any documentation that would allow it.

Here is the pertinent information for parachuting from AC 105-2C:

23. AIRCRAFT OPERATING AND AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS.
a. Procedure. Owners or operators of aircraft listed in Appendix 2, who
are interested in obtaining authorization and operating limitations for these
aircraft to be flown with the door open or removed, should forward a written
request to the FSDO having jurisdiction over the area in which these
operations are to be conducted. The request should contain the following
information:
(1) Name and address of the registered owner(s) of the aircraft.
(2) Make, model, serial, and registration numbers of the aircraft.
(3) Place where the aircraft is normally based.
(4) Reason the aircraft is to be operated with a door open or
removed.

APPENDIX-2.AIRCRAFT THAT MAY BE OPERATED WITH ONE CABIN DOOR REMOVED
Aeronca 05B
Aeronca 15AC STC SA4-1593
Beech 017s STC SA603SO
Beech AT-11 STC SA4WE
Beech 18 Series STC SA69CE
Beech C-45 and TC-45 Series
STC SA69CE
Beech 65-90 x
Beech 650A90 x
Beech 650B90 x
Beech 65X90 x
Beech 650E90 x
Beech Model 100 (all) x
Beech Model A100 (all) x
Beech Model BlOO (all)
Beech Model 200 x
Beech Model 200C (all) x
Beech Model 200T (all) x
Beech Model 200CT x
Beech Model 8200 x
Beech Model B200C x
Beech Model B200T x
Beech Model B200CT x
Beech Model 99 x
Beech Model 99A x
Beech Model A99A x
Beech Model B99 x
Beech Model C99 x
Beech Model A65 x
Beech Model A65-8200 x
Beech Model A65-80 x
Beech Model A65-70 x
Beech Model A65-B80 x
Beech Model A36 x
Beech Model A36TC *
Beech Model B36TC x
Beech Model 58/58A *
Centaur 101
Cessna 120 Series
Cessna 140 Series
Cessna 150 Series
Cessna 170 Series
Cessna 172 Series
Cessna 775 Series STC SA49CE
Cessna 177 STC SA466SO
Cessna 180 Series STC SA168SW
Cessna 182 Series STC SA40CE
Cessna 185 Series STC SA33SO
*Cessna 190 Series STC SAZZOWE
Cessna 195 Series STC SA1966SW
Cessna 206 Series STC SA1255WE
(with Cessna accessory kit
, AK 206-l installed)
Cessna 207 Series *
Cessna 208 Series _
Cessna 210 STC SAl99WE
Cessna (Ector) 305A STC SA353SW
Cessna 337A STC SAlSOSO
Cessna 402C STCSA1525NM
Champion (Aeronca) 7 Series
STC SA33CE
Curtis Wright (Trawl Air)
STC SA209WE S-6000B
De Havilland DHC-6-300 STC SA132RM
Douglas DC-3 (maximum airspeed cabin
passenger door removed 170
knots)
Fairchild 24 Series (R/H door)
He’lio 250
Helio 295
Helio 391 '
Helio 395
Howard DGA-15 Series .
Larson (Luscombe) 8 Series (R/H
door-maximum airspeed 100 MPH)
Lockheed Model 12A
Lockheed 18-56 STC SA892SO
Lockheed 402-2 (R/H rear door)
Macchi AL 60 (R/H rear door)
Maule M4, M-4-210 STC SA258CE
Noorduyn UC-64 Series (rear door)
Piper PA-12 Series *
Piper PA-78 Series *
Piper PA-20 Series *
Piper PA-22 Series *
Piper PA-28 140-160-180-235 *
Piper PA-32 Series *
Piper PA-32R Series *
Piper PA-34 Series *
Stinson SR-7B (R/H door)
Stinson V-77
Taylorcraft BC 12-D
Temco (Luscombe) 1lA (R/H door)
Universal (Stinson) 108 Series
X= Procedures contained in aircraft flight manual supplement.
*= Procedures contained in aircraft ljilot operating handbook.

[sebecker]

Thank you very much for taking time to reply to my question!

~S

[GAHorn]

That Advisory Circular is titled "Sport Parachute Jumping" and that is why it addresses certain aircraft which may be flown with the door removed. It is imperative to understand that just because that AC mentions a particular aircraft as "approved".... does not mean all those aircraft can simply have a door removed and then go fly. Many aircraft mentioned in the AC have additional requirements, including special equipment, documentation, and operational limitations before they may be flown with the door removed. (The list is merely a listing of aircraft which have approved procedures.)

The AC mentions this in a closing note:

-N--o-t e: Some of the above aircraft may require installation of deflectors to
reduce vibration while being operated with a door removed. Aircraft must be
operated in accordance with approved procedures. For information regarding
the holder of a specific supplemental type certificate or field approval,
contact the local Flight Standards,District Office or Manufacturing Inspection
District Office.

The file is 2MB, but if you want the entire AC:
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_an ... 105-2c.pdf

[sebecker]

Thank you for your reply! I am not so much interested in skydiving as I am in doing photography. It appears as if that might be a bit difficult.

Thanks again!!

[GAHorn]

There is no restriction on flying with the window open. You might consider using a pin in the lower hinge to allow the window to open completely. I have seen several 172's with such an arrangement and the window simply floats up on it's upper hinges and sticks to the lower wing surface, and "flys" there horizontally.

[sebecker]

That really sounds like a good idea! I fly a Super Cub frequently and there is nothing more enjoyable than floating along on a warm summer day with the door down dancing with the clouds!

Thanks all that have taken time to respond!

~S

[flat country pilot]

Here is another reason to fly with the door off, Pure Fun

http://www.dtlinn.com/bucketdrop.html

I currently own this 170 and it is still placarded to fly with the door off. Mainly "remove all loose objects from the cabin".

I haven't removed the door and probably won't. Unless the coyote population gets out of control.

Bill

[sebecker]

That is pretty neat! The only coyotes I know you can't hunt! At least not legally!

Take care and thanks for the pictures. I will check out your web page.

~S

[learaviator]

I have a letter in my aircraft records authorizing flight with one door off if you would like to see what it entails. It is from our local fsdo.

[sebecker]

I would love to see your letter if it is not too much trouble. If you would like to email it my email is sebecker@earthlink.net.

Thank you

~S

[learaviator]

No problem at all, I will get that out today.

[sebecker]

Thank you!

~S

[GAHorn]

I have a letter in my aircraft records authorizing flight with one door off if you would like to see what it entails. It is from our local fsdo.

Why don't you scan it an post it here as an attachment? That way anyone who has need of it can see it?

[flat country pilot]

sebecker wrote

I will check out your web page.

~S

That's not my website, but it does belong to another C170 Assoc member
and is worth browsing.

Bill