This is more out of curiousity than anything, but my new plane at some point during its 53 year history seems to have been rigged to have the passenger door removed for flight. It was never a jump plane, but my guess is that someone in the partnership that owned it for 50 years at some point removed it for some purpose. There is no paperwork allowing it though in the aircraft records. A fellow 205 owner has the authorization and I know they are used for jump planes, so it is doable.

So, what hoops have to be jumped through to get authorization? I just thought the option might be nice to have for occasional pumpkin drop or something.

I'm not sure about the 205 stc, but the United States Parachute Association holds the stc for 180 and 182 models. I purchased the stc for my 180 last year. You could contact them, Ask for Randy Ottinger, He is the guy in charge of the stc's. It only cost me a 100 bucks because I am a member.

Cool. Thanks for the info. I was just talking to a guy at work that suggested something similar...to find who, if anyone, holds an STC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I believe the 206 requires a blast deflector installed, but not sure, and I don't know if that applies to the 205, though I can't imagine it doesn't. The 206 I flew was used off and on for smokejumper recurrency some, and had a blast deflector that went on the hinge points when the door was removed. I assume it was required.

The jumpers will have information on the 206 for sure.

MTV

It will be interesting to see what the deal is. On the 206 it would be the clam shell door being removed vs the forward right passenger door on the 205. I wonder if that would make a difference in requiring the blast deflector.

I'm going to look at the Type Certificate Data Sheet today and see if anything is said in there about it.

It is correct that a wind deflector is needed on a U206. A P206 does not need one to be flown with the door removed. To my knowledge, Only the 206 and 208 are required to have a wind deflector for flight with the door removed.

Anyone know about a 170? I have this idea that it can be flown without doors, but don't remember where I heard that.

daedaluscan wrote:Anyone know about a 170? I have this idea that it can be flown without doors, but don't remember where I heard that.

I know they fly fine without door(s).

We use to skydive out of a 205 with the door off. No issues with flight at all. No idea if the bird had an stc for it. I would assume it did as we flew demos which had FAA watching

So, does anybody have experience, or have a "friend" with experience, flying a Skywagon with the right door off? I have a copy of the STC from the skydive group and it doesn't list any limitations and I am wondering if there is anything generally weird about having the door off?

Watch your speeds. You can get a lot of buffeting with one, or both, doors off. Slow down a bit and it goes away.

Gump


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I've flown a 182K with the right door off. It had an STC and the step on the wheel for jumpers. All the STC did though was place a placard about the pilot wearing a chute and some other notes. Rather fun to fly that way. Can't imagine a 180 would be much different.

Used to fly with the door off of my 180 all the time . No big deal. Sometimes would get some buffeting if the backseat was still in . Just open pilot side window and it will go away , or slow down as Gump said . Flown a handful of 182's that way as well .

My 182 has a letter of auth from the Feds with the logs that's allows me to pull the right door off for camera work. Basically says that there must me some sort of restrain (seat belt)and I think it limits the bank to like 20 degrees to the right. When I get back in town ill post a copy of it.

I got this response this morning from Randy. I'll look into both.

Hi Cory,

USPA does not own an STC for the C-205 and I don’t recall seeing one. I think most operators have in-flight doors that have received an FAA Field Approval. Have you inquired at your FSDO? Alternatively, you could search the make and model at: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... enFrameset


Regards,

Randy Ottinger
Director of Government Relations



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I rigged both my C170 & my C150/150TD for the windows to be all the way open in flight during hot spells when I owned them. Better below 100mph than above., but even then rather windy in the cabin, and not very comfortable. Maybe if I lived where a hot spell was 100+ vs the mid-80's here in Puget Sound I'd like it better, but so far flying with the windows open has not been a positive experience.

I have to believe flying a Cub with the door open must be more comfortable the way people take to it -- of course, at J3 speeds it probably is. In a supercub at over 100 I have my doubts. But maybe I'm just a sissy.

I flew jumpers with a number of planes including 206s. I never thought about the doors off except some days it gets rater cold and the view is great.
Last year for a light Hawk photo flight I looked up the requirements for my 170 to be legal with the doors off and found it is requires a letter of authorization (as stated previously) but the photographer said he is happy with the window fully opening so I just did that. I've all ways had my 170 set up to pull the latch pin on the windows, easy to do in flight and fly's great that way. Also you are only exposed to the noise and cold when you need to be not all the way to and from the site.

Daedaluscan, The stc I bought from the United States Parachute Association covers models 170, 170a, 170b, 180, 180a landplanes.

cliff wrote:Daedaluscan, The stc I bought from the United States Parachute Association covers models 170, 170a, 170b, 180, 180a landplanes.

How much was the STC?

100 dollars