In flight door STC

[Dash 2]

  Does anyone know of one for the 56 182. We have presented multiple copies of field approvals on similar airplanes including one only 15 SNs difference. One of the planes had more than 10,000 hours with the in flight door dating back to the 1960s and the FAA  didn't consider this as proof that they will fly that way. What a crock!!!!!!!

     Dash-2

[damij]

we had a 56 in tahlequah in the late 70's check with uspa. You can also get acopy of the 337 from the faa for N6404A. This a/c came from raeford mmight check with the Thackers

[Dash 2]

  USPA has an STC for door removal only, not an inflight door. I can lay my hands on at least 10 different 337s for the mod, BUT, the FAA doesn't accept that as approved data anymore. That is the way it used to be done, not anymore.

   Dash-2

[mousead]

Dash 2,
Have you had any luck with your door installation yet? I am planning on installing one on a 1957 182A this spring. Its true that old 337s are not "approved data", but they are considered "acceptable data" like AC 43.13-2B. The ASI then has to "field approve" the data for your aircraft. If we had approved data for these installations, then a field approval would not be needed. You may need to try contacting a different ASI if this one says it is impossible without approved data. I would like to have as much data as possible when I contact my FSDO. Can you send me copies of the 337 you have. Thanks in advance

[Dash 2]

We have gone to an IA in a different FSDO. The local FSDO sent the information to regional engineering who kicked it back for a bunch of information that can't be gotten without changing the airworthiness cert to experimental and then back which is easier said than done from what I understand. The big issue is where we got the door opening speed from. Pulled it out of our ass didn't work. The fact that one airplane that was approved using that criteria for 40+ years and 12000 hours and no problems didn't impress them.
  I don't own the airplane, but am planning on flying for the guy who does, but I'll see if I can round up some copies for you.
  I have found an FAA inspector that owns a jump plane with the door mod but I just located an IA in his FSDO that used to run a DZ who might do the paperwork if this other one fails. The big problem is IAs can't submit field approvals across FSDO boundaries.

  Dash-2 

[Dash 2]

Finally after a year and a half of screwing around with the feds our in flight door has been approved on a 337 field approval. It appears to me that the Snohomish door that Ralph Hatley holds the STC to would be the easiest way to go. The FAA rep that signed this one off wasn't real enthused about it.
 We flew it this past weekend and it has been so long since I flew one with the door I forgot how nice it was. Improved climb rate and much easier to keep the oil temp under control in this hot weather we have been having, not to mention more comfortable. Even with 100 plus heat indexes on the ground a 30* drop in temp when you are sweaty and the wind is blowing 80kts is uncomfortable.

  -2