Comment

Comment by Dan Condon on March 7, 2012 at 7:11am

Mike, thanks for posting.  I just had a door blow off in flight.  Excitement needle went off the scale. Door flew up and hit fuel sump which stuck in the up/open position, leaking fuel. Fuel sprayed all over my back windows.  I notice you don't have a rod going aft to secure.  Now need to fix the bowing, and make door safe.

Comment by Mike Schlichtman on October 30, 2011 at 9:48pm

I've got it where the pin can be removed easily.  It's no harder to unlock this than any door I have had in Pipers.

Comment by Larry Oswell on October 30, 2011 at 9:13pm

Hi Mike,  I am going to be installing the doors on my 750  soon.  I have spoken to the test pilot that had the door come open, and blow off on the 750 from Oseola, Wisc.  Quite exciting to say the least.  I have been thinking of a  better latch system.  I found the picture of your door latch on the Zenith builders and flyers, photo page. Have an more pictures you could email me?   Thanks Larry Oswell

Comment by Mike Schlichtman on September 29, 2011 at 11:31am

The pin is a push/ball lock type where you simply put it between two fingers and push with your thumb...and pull it out.  It is possible it could cause problem if you needed to exit quickly.  It's a matter of what I call "risk assesment".  I view the risk of slow regress countered by the idea that the door is succure...paticularly if I have my wife on board.  I may not even use them on the pilots side when it is just me flying around.

I got the pin from Mcallister-Carr online.  it is a 1/2' usable shank with 3/16 dia. 

Comment by Andre Levesque on September 29, 2011 at 6:37am

Mike,

How easy is that pin to retract in case of an emergency, is it just a spring loaded pull type lock?

Looks extra safe that's for sure.

Good job

Comment by Waldomiro Moreira on September 29, 2011 at 5:35am

This is a nice option to keep lock and tight! Could you please inform the supplier info? I am not sure that I can find it here in Brazil!

Comment by Mike Schlichtman on September 28, 2011 at 10:09pm

Andre,

My doors don't bulge in the first place, but I view it as an added measure of precaution.  If nothing else, I have been meaning to do the velcro strap lock thing that Bob McDonald and Anges Watts did.  I view this as more simple and easy for me, since I don't have any of the straps readily available.  My thought on the pin is...if wind ever does get under my door and tries to bulge it out, the pin will hold the door fast.  I will add, if the door issue had never came up, I would have been satisfied to leave it as it was.  For me, I have felt like the doors were solid and safe from the start....but now they are extra safe.

Comment by Andre Levesque on September 28, 2011 at 9:08pm

Mike,

Do you feel the locking mechanism will stop the bulging of the door in flight?  especially near the back shock holding the door open. 

Keeps us informed..we all hope it works...that would be a simple fix and lot less worries. -:)