Seeking Drawing for sky light # 2770

[Admin]

Hello, I received a request for drawing 2770 for skylight installation. Does anyone have it?

thanks
bob.

[Robert Lees]

Never heard of it. The only one I know of is the Clayton STC skylight for B models.

Rob

[PA1195]

There's at least three skylights. Two 337's listed here (https://www.taylorcraft.org/resources.html) and the Clayton STC661AL w/Dwg, 1001 - 1/6/79. Probably more somewhere.

Gary

[astjp2]

If it is a factory drawings, Forrest is about your only option

[N96337]

Lotsa luck with that!!!

[Hank Jarrett]

In early 1945 Taylorcraft built two planes with factory Skylights. They were woodworkers nightmares and never went into production. I have one (damaged) and am rebuilding it. Can you check with your IA and find out if he would allow you to use a factory design that didn't go into general production? It worked GREAT and didn't have a lot of the problems with the huge skylights you see now. There were only two triangular transparencies over your head but when you looked up through them they have a wide angle of sight because your eyes are so close. They actually used them in at least one advertisement but the artist put the triangles one behind the other instead of side by side!
I loved them and hope when the 41 gets recovered my IA will sign it off as a minor change. Fingers crossed! (Last one is of a model with the same skylight)

Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Here is one of the advertisements. Pretty obvious they described it to the artist but the artist didn't get to actually see it.

[PA1195]

Any alteration to the overhead should be well documented and supported by some sort of instructions for continued airworthiness - by that comment I'm not trying to be negative about the change from fabric to skylight - but if there's a subsequent failure and loss of covering bad things can happen (and have). The tail may experience disturbed airflow and partial loss of control. Overall airframe drag can increase. Just make sure whatever's there is looked at during preflight and stays attached later.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Gary,
That is what I have assumed in the past, but my factory skylight was designed, installed (at the factory) and tested by Taylorcraft. It flew for decades on my plane. The problem is it was only "officially" put on two planes that I know of (the two prototype post war Deluxes). I wouldn't want to just home design a skylight. The question is, can my factory design be used on other planes without them needing a STC.

Hank

This is really a "Legal" question more than a safety one. I know the design is solid. There was some pretty deteriorated wood in mine when I took it apart but no sign of any failure. It IS well designed, just complex.

[PA1195]

Hi Hank and good info. For discussion if those planes were issued an Airworthiness Certificate then the following may apply under CAR 4 providing the skylight is listed under manufacturer's equipment and accessories (?):

"Production Basis: None. Prior to original certification, an FAA representative must perform a detailed inspection for workmanship, materials and conformity with the approved technical data, and a check of the flight characteristics."

Unless there's some Approved Data that goes with the Taylorcraft part (maybe the Factory print) wouldn't a Major Alteration require some sort of DER, FAA Field, FAA Engineering, or STC approval?

I have no answer just questions. It's easy to source the Greg Clayton STC and be assured of compliance. I have one and so far it hasn't departed the airplane.

Gary