Flying doors off?

[AKCrate]

Is anyone flying the bc12D with the doors off? And if so is this an STC?

[murphy]

Re: Flying doors off?

Don't know about STC's but mine flies just fine without doors and here in South Alabama (todays forcast 91 dec 90% humidity) you need plenty of cool air.
Mike

[mulwyk]

Re: Flying doors off?

My project plane came with a "Aircraft Operating Limitations with Door Removed" document from 1970 that was signed by the FAA Principal Maint. Inspector in Atlanta.

They limits are a maximum of 70 percent of maximum level flight speed or the approved maneuvering speed. (What would that be? About 70 MPH?) And it's limited to 15 degree maximum bank and 10 degree maximum yaw. And no more than one cabin door removed, placard in full view, VFR only, guardrail in doorway, etc. Total of 18 limitations.

I'm not sure if it will help anyone (it's specific to only one aircraft) but I'll try to post it here if I can figure out how.

[N74DV]

Re: Flying doors off?

flown ours with the door off for photo work with no problems

[perryv1]

Re: Flying doors off?

I do all the time,It sure lets you know if your in a slip
PV

[resojames]

Re: Flying doors off?

I used to fly mine in a comedy act at airshows with the door off so I could stick my leg out and holler out. I even flew acro like that. No problems.

[Taylor Maid]

Re: Flying doors off?

I fly mine like that all the time...It suppose to be placarded in plain view about wearing seatbelts at all times though....

--Suzy

[Taylor Maid]

Re: Flying doors off?

Here is a pic....

[Don]

Re: Flying doors off?

Both doors off at the same time or just one? I'd like to try it.........Don

[N96337]

Re: Flying doors off?

The night I bought my Tcraft, we took it up about 7:30pm, after pulling both doors...it was about 80 degrees on the ground....slowed it down to about 70 and just lazed along above the river.... that pretty much sold the airplane right there!
John

[AKCrate]

Re: Flying doors off?

Thanks for all the replies

[Taylor Maid]

Re: Flying doors off?

I do one door off...I'm thinking that was my friendly FAA's advice...I do have a nice headliner, so maybe 2 off wouldn't be so bad. The only problem I find is that my baggage compartment lid likes to pop open and stay that way.

[NC95842]

Re: Flying doors off?

I have no headliner. would that be a problem?

[flyguy]

Re: Flying doors off?

Friend of mine was coroner on a case where a guy had crashed after his canopy popped off. Think it may have been BD5. That is the one they made some jet versions, right? Anyway he said he could see where the tail control surfaces had scraped and gouged into the fuselage and speculated that the the tail section had ballooned out jamming the controls. Accident inspectors didn't catch it. Said was "pilot lost control."
I know there is a problem with "going in," at the inspection plates in the tail with the Taylorcraft, but is there is any concern about puffing out, bulging fabric, or whatever?
DC

[dmcneil]

Re: Flying doors off?

Flying with one door off is a pretty common thing. So common in fact, that the FAA has an advisory circular that discusses the correct way to go about flying minus a door. AC 105-25 tells you everything you will need to know about doing the doorless thing while keeping the FAA happy. Here's the link to that document: AC 105-2C

The AC has a list of airplanes approved for flight with a door removed. The BC-12D is on that list. Fill out the form in the AC and send it off to the FSDO. You'll get a set of operating limitations back from them and you're good to go.

Dan