FlyingMonkey Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 I recall reading that flying with the doors off on a CT was basically more trouble than it's worth. Has anybody done it, and if so can you tell me about it? Seems like it could be a lot of fun in the right circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 Andy, pictures taken while flying in friend's CTLS with his doors off. The foot is my friend's. The ugly face is mine. It certainly provides a different perspective of the terrain. No big deal to do. Just pull the hinge pins and pop off the door cylinder. Best to keep the speed below 70kts. this 2008 CTLS came from the factory with removable doors. I do not think that this option is still offered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 70kt is pretty slow...I thought I had read 90kt or less was the limit. Is this an approved way to fly for the CTSW? I don't know if I'd ever do it, but it's intriguing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 It was never flight tested, but FD doesn't seem to have any heart ache over it and some CT's have removable door hinges. I was originally told 90 knots, but I imagine it can get a little breezy. You could fly at 50 knots all day if you wanted so their 70 should be too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Andy, Roger is correct. We flew at various speeds but the buffeting of air in the cabin feeds into the headphones and causes communication problems. Flying at 70kts is very comfortable and the buffeting inside is not bad compared to 90kts. As a matter of fact, the CT flows air so well past the door opening that it fools one into thinking there isn't much going on just past the opening. I went to point out something of interest below us and got a few fingers into the slipstream. The air flow immediately wanted to forceably pull my hand out and back. About the same as sticking out one's hand from the car window at similar speeds. Just a little more sharply defined aerodynamics with the CT compared to the car. My friend now flies corporate but was a helicopter pilot for many years in the army and national guard. He reverts back to this type of flying by removing his doors occasionally to do some low and slow sightseeing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 My CT has some 90° hinge pins on the doors with tiny little retaining pins through them, so I believe they are removable...if I get bold one nice day maybe I will try this. Roger, your statement seems to indicate this is not an approved way to fly from FD...is that a problem, or is this a case of "it's not prohibited so it's allowed"? Dick, the comms were my initial worry, my Zulu headset is pretty susceptible to wind noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Hi Andy, It wasn't ever tested by FD so they don't say no and they don't say yes. Your choice. I would think as Dick said that wind will be you issue and nothing should be loose in the cockpit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 I guess one question is how much rigidity the closed doors add to the structure. Though I guess in a crash it's kind of a moot point, if you are flying an airplane with open sides there is not much protection there in any event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 It is common practice to call for doors to be opened prior to ditching and I would consider it prior to landing in a forest (or not, depending on whether I wanted to get out of the plane later or have a branch up my nose) so I would hope that closed doors are not an essential part of the structural integrity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 In the early days they used to fly doors off all the time, even at shows. Airplanes had the removable hinge pins just like yours. They stopped when the FAA came up and said you can't do that, because it is not in the flight manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 My doors have the removable pins. IF I decide to try it, I hope I remember to secure my airworthiness and registration and not leave them in the plastic window envelope where they might blow out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 My doors have the removable pins. IF I decide to try it, I hope I remember to secure my airworthiness and registration and not leave them in the plastic window envelope where they might blow out. Yeah, I would have to seriously police of a lot of little objects and papers before trying this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 My personal checklist is somewhere in the wilds of Michigan due to the last flight I took without doors. :wacko: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 My personal checklist is somewhere in the wilds of Michigan due to the last flight I took without doors. :wacko: LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Jefts Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 My personal checklist is somewhere in the wilds of Michigan due to the last flight I took without doors. :wacko: Upper Michigan or Lower Michigan. I'll keep my eyes open when I'm up there next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 Hi Duane. Lost my list in southeast lower Michigan. What brings you up our way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Jefts Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 Grew up near Big rapids and have family there as well as 50th class reunion. Also grand daughter in Ida. Great place to be in the summer and fall as you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 My wife's family lives in Stanwood, not far from Big Rapids. Nice country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 I live close to Willow Run Airport which is in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Also close to Ann Arbor, Mi. If you are in the area, give me a call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 MM Went to High School at Morley-Stanhwood, small world. Still have small farm nearby. Escaped to Hawaii. Have brother living two miles north of town. Farmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Jefts Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 My wife's family lives in Stanwood, not far from Big Rapids. Nice country. Andy, what is your wife's family name? My 50th class reunion is from Morley-Stanwood HS. One brother lives just down the road out the back way of Stanwood. Very small world! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Jefts Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 I live close to Willow Run Airport which is in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Also close to Ann Arbor, Mi. If you are in the area, give me a call. Will remember that Dick. Probably around there next Jul or Aug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 I thought I'd either been to or through or at least heard of all towns in Michigan. Never knew there was a Stanwood but all of a sudden I feel left out because I'm not from there! Any of you guys ever get hit by lightening? Hope all three don't say "yes"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 MM Went to High School at Morley-Stanhwood, small world. Still have small farm nearby. Escaped to Hawaii. Have brother living two miles north of town. Farmer My wife graduated from Morley-Stanwood in 1988. When were you there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 Andy, what is your wife's family name? My 50th class reunion is from Morley-Stanwood HS. One brother lives just down the road out the back way of Stanwood. Very small world! We are younger than you, but her family name is Stout, her mother is Marlene Porter who she still lives in Stanwood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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