Door Stops

[N95193]

I have a 1946 BC-12D, and there is nothing on my airplane to keep the doors open while entering (or leaving) the airplane, which is a pain in the butt (literally).
Are there supposed to be door stops for this airplane? If not, has anybody seen a good method for holding the doors open while entering and exiting the airplane that can then be easily released after getting in or out?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Door Stops

That's correct. There are no door stops, and nor should there be, by design. Welcome to the "pain in the butt" world !

Nice looking aeroplane!

[lfries]

Re: Door Stops

The right length bungy cord will keep it open.

[Marv]

Re: Door Stops

Some had stops that had a friction catch. Check with Forrest, he may have some. They mounted on the strut and the other half on the door. Marv

[Robert Lees]

Re: Door Stops

Forrest will deny all knowledge. They were not part of the original design.

Sure your not flying an Aeronca, Marv?

[Marv]

Re: Door Stops

No Robert they were Both Taylorcrafts. A BC17D deluxe and a Ace. I beleive Forrest talked about them on the forum a year or so ago Marv

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Door Stops

There was never a factory door catch, rumor has it that some people like it taht way so they can hand prop from forward of the struts and get back in safely. However , yes I think it was Skycatch? that had one that worked on the Tcraft. It attached to the strut. Another way is to have one come down from the wing. Kitchen hardware. I do not see the necessity.

[Marv]

Re: Door Stops

Well Robert i guess they were not factory , but some people must have liked them. Marv

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Door Stops

I use "chicken head" catches riveted at mid door height on the rear part of the cowling. It catches the trailing edge of the door and holds it flat against the cowling. I can sit forward and push the door open against the catch and I can reach the catch to release it to close the door while seated if I loosen my belt. They are perfect for cockpit cooling when taxiing. They are very small and although they may not pretty, I would not say they stand out like a "sore thumb". I chose to sacrifice asthectics for utility. No more pain the butt for me...

Jim

I have a 1946 BC-12D, and there is nothing on my airplane to keep the doors open while entering (or leaving) the airplane, which is a pain in the butt (literally).
Are there supposed to be door stops for this airplane? If not, has anybody seen a good method for holding the doors open while entering and exiting the airplane that can then be easily released after getting in or out?

[N95193]

Re: Door Stops

Thanks to all for the feedback. I used to have a Cessna 150, which had stops on the doors, so I guess I am a bit spoiled. I'll stop whining and get used to the way it is. This airplane is too beautiful to mess up with anything that isn't as designed. I am getting better seat padding though. The seat in it now is just too uncomfortable to put up with (I know - more whining). Got to have some creature comforts.

[1938BF50]

Re: Door Stops

If you add much in the way of x-tra padding, you may have to lower the seat. You can check prior threads for details but basically the seat back and "sling" are laced to crosstubing and adjustable via the lacing. I sat in one BC-12D with x-tra padding and my sightline left to right was directly at the wing root. I am 6'1", have a prewar with replacement seat cushions and have the seat lowered such that I have great vision under the wings.

[barnstmr]

Re: Door Stops

You might be surprized at what you might accomplish with a little Velcro. Too bad I don't own stock in it.

[N95193]

Re: Door Stops

Surprisingly enough, my wife and I were out at the airport working on the plane, and she suggested putting a couple of velcro squares on the doors and the cowling, and there you have it - Door Stops.
They work great.
There were no velcro squares back in '46, so the original designers would never have thought of that.

[OldBits2]

Re: Door Stops

Classic Aero 480-650-0883, has some of the bands used on rag wing Luscombe struts that can be installed on the struts with minimal effort.

Doug

[Ron Coleman]

Re: Door Stops

my grandmother had two door stops. One was an indian head and the other was a iron bulldog. You could always tell it was her comming down the sidewalk in the dark from the Irish bar on Friday night. She would be listing left wing low and singing "Clementine". She usually stumbled over the bulldog on the way in the house and made vile comments about it.
or maybe not