door tube

[wlas]

Does anyone know if the new T-crafts have the tube removed that runs through the door opening on the 46 and newer T-crafts ? I got a field approval back twenty years ago and tried five years ago and the FAA said no, and I got on bad terms with my PMI for sometime, untill I got a new one, but Iam not going to try that again, unless I've got paper work that says the factory did it, Even with an old 337 they wouldn't go for it. There are a few up here in Alaska that had it done, and are still around. It doesn't make sense to put a bigger door in with a tube running through it where the old door frame was.

[Winston L.]

Re: door tube

They changed the structure around the door on the F-22's to increase the size of the opening. The structure is highly modified, they even welded in seat tracks so there is no sling in that model.

Winston

[wlas]

Re: door tube

glad to hear that , thats another thing I've gotten approved in the past is seats on seat rails, and that is a good thing for loading, you just take the seats out. Another thing is, I've had 0290 lycoming 135 hp approved, it really performs. but I like my 100 continental that I've got in mine.

[Winston L.]

Re: door tube

The F-22's had an option of 235 or 360 180 hp. I flew the 180hp model in LaGrange. It climbs very well even with two big guys and full fuel. It seemed like we were climbing at 30 degrees pitch. I had to lower the nose on occasion to check for traffic.

Winston

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: door tube

I have a 45 BC-12 with no covering and a 41 I fly and am familliar with the fuselage with the "corner tube". I haven't done an analysis but just looking at it I wouldn't THINK of removing that tube! If someone approved a 337 in the past I am betting they screwed up big time. You would have to do some significant beefing up of the fuselage to take any loads in that area to keep the fuselage from buckling there with the tube gone. I have quite a few years in aircraft structures and just LOOKING at it I wouildn't even waste my time doing an analysis on the effect of removing it.
Hank

[Winston L.]

Re: door tube

The F-22 structure around the doors looks alot like the kitfox structure in the same area. They were very beefed up like you said and alot heavier.


Winston

[wlas]

Re: door tube

Apparently the factory has gotten it approved, I would sure like to see a drawing of the door area. I've done basically the same thing to Piper PA-12, removed the tube and build a larger door, but thats STCs. The T-craft I did a number of years ago, was in a bad crash, It took me about a week of welding to put it back in service, but the funny thing was the door area on both sides held there shape.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: door tube

Yes the F-22 fusealge is "approved" full approval too! I have the test fuselage here in Alliance. It is quite a new structure. I imagine there are drawings for the modification ; I will take a photo soon.

[wlas]

Re: door tube

Forrest,
That would be great if you could do that, I would love to see what tubing they changed on the new models.