The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I just noticed that Blue Sky is making a door catch system specifically for the C172 now.
From the looks, it would work nicely on a C170.
Has anyone used this set up before?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... chc150.php

The Blue Sky Latch is an interesting alternative for those looking for an alternate method of repairing broken wing/door latches. Until recently there was another system, the "Hatch Latch" which I have and like, but it seems that the mfr'r ran into difficulties with his regional FAA and quit marketing it. Apparently FAA wanted him to obtain approval for an STC.

That's a shame because it's a simple and strong system. ( I suspect mfr's of competing products set FAA in motion against him....Door Steward?? ... who knows.)

Personally I believe the Door Steward is sufficiently invasive from a structural standpoint that it needed an approval basis, but that products which mimic Cessna's original method are merely minor alterations. This would include the Hatch Latch and the Blue Sky method, as well as the ad hoc method of using ordinary cabinet-hardware.

Looking at the illustration above, I couldn't imagine how the Blue Sky Latch works... but I found installation instructions which made it pretty clear.

Sorry for exhuming this thread, but George, I was curious if you could post some pictures of your "Hatch Latch" system for your doors? I realize that the company is now apparently defunct, but your post has piqued my curiosity.

Ryan Smith wrote:Sorry for exhuming this thread, but George, I was curious if you could post some pictures of your "Hatch Latch" system for your doors? I realize that the company is now apparently defunct, but your post has piqued my curiosity.

There is absolutely no reason to apologize for exhuming old-threads. It's one of the good features of an archival-type forum, and helps new Members see where we've been.
As for a pic... I'll have to wait until I return home next weekend (and hope to remember to take the pics.) It's such a simple solution I might entertain producing them in the future as a project. (The story about some FSDO having heartburn with no STC for them is not credible to me. If that were true then there'd be hundreds of airplanes sitting on the ramp with condition tags on them. It's a minor alteration as all it does is strengthen the receptacle in the door by replacing a tinnerman nut in the door and installing a stronger "tip" on the factory door stop bracket.
Perhaps the problem might have been that the HatchLatch was marketed as airplane parts for which no PMA existed.)