Hey guys. Got another question for you all. Can I legally fly my C180 with one or both of my doors off? If I do, am I limited to a certain speed? Can't seem to find any other info on this subject, so I'm relying on you guys.
Thanks in advance.
David

Is there an approved procedure in your POH?
If so, are you "trained and competent" to remove the doors yourself?
Hard work this certified business...

Haha, 3 pins to remove the door, so I'm good there. No mention of it in the POH that I can find, but then my old Citabria didn't have any mention of it either, even though it is approved in Citabrias...

Go for it....just double check your seatbelt!!

edit

Thanks Jim. That's the info I'm looking for. Its been 34*C up here the last few days, and is looking to stay that way for the next few days. I loved flying with the door off on the Citabria when it was warm like this, and I'm sure I'd like it just as much in the 180.
Thanks!

Hi All, I know when I had the 180H I did some research and I found the type certificate stated in no uncertain terms that it was only legal to fly with the doors off if you were hauling skydivers and that the pilot must also be wearing a parachute. So I never flew with the doors off.

Marty

I know Maule permits the rear passenger door or rear passenger door and baggage door to be removed for flight. Some restrictions on airspeed and banking.

I do remember being told absolutely NOT to take doors off on opposing sides of the AC due to cross drafts messing up the airflow along the fuselage and the tail feathers.

TD

I've "heard" that there is a certain position of the seats that will cause a significant buffeting type effect with doors off. If you experience that just slide the seat forward or backward n it should go away.

Im pretty sure you are only allowed to fly w/ the pax door off, and with an STC.

I fly with doors off on occasion. It is legal with a field approved STC and as long as you have a current weight and balance to fly with out one or both doors.

I have flown with one off for jumpers and both off for the comfort factor at different times.

The plane will buffet with one door off once above 110 or so. With both doors off there is no buffet and I flew the plane as I would normally. Actually went to and from burning man several times with both doors off for photos.

Make certain everything is taped down as you will find things that are loose even if they look tight! .....belts, cushions, wires, head liner, carpet, etc.

It's a good time and you should have no problem.

Akt

When I had a 150 I installed quick pins on the passenger door, mainly for ease of loading - mountain bike, wood spars for wings, skis, etc. Flew with it off a few times for photo shoots, never thought anything off it. Saw enough other Cessnas with quick pins that it seemed normal.

Where in the Citabria POH does it address door off? And what's the value of a W&B on a 10 lb difference at the same station where a 100-300 lb pilot might sit?

TomD wrote:I know Maule permits the rear passenger door or rear passenger door and baggage door to be removed for flight. Some restrictions on airspeed and banking.

I do remember being told absolutely NOT to take doors off on opposing sides of the AC due to cross drafts messing up the airflow along the fuselage and the tail feathers.

The Maule POH does cover this. IIRC, older Maules were more limited, but have been approved for the same standards as the M7 now. Check your POH to make sure.

For the M7:

This aircraft may be operated with either one (not both) of the front doors removed, or when both front doors are installed, with the rear passenger door or rear passenger and baggage doors off. When doing so, observe the following additional limitations:

1. Maximum airspeed - 109K (125MPH)
2. Maximum bank angle - 30°
3. Maximum yaw angle - 10°
4. No smoking permitted
5. Limit flight to VFR conditions

Regarding the buffeting you can experience with one door off... if you open the window on the other door it will stop.

I wouldn't take door off for fresh air - just open window And slow to under 100 indicated . Open both windows and cruise - we do it all the time in Desert Southwest. Pretty breezy so things need to be tied down or left in hanger .

Karmutzen wrote:When I had a 150 I installed quick pins on the passenger door, mainly for ease of loading - mountain bike, wood spars for wings, skis, etc. Flew with it off a few times for photo shoots, never thought anything off it. Saw enough other Cessnas with quick pins that it seemed normal.

Apologies in advance for the thread drift, but do tell how on earth you were able to stuff any sort of mountain bike or skis in your 150? I fly a 150 and have a hard time with the barest of bare bones camping gear. Sometimes I leave my water bottle behind for local flights.

On topic, I do like the idea of no door(s) flying! My POH says can't even open the windows in flight, I'm wondering if there's a workaround for that by changing the latches or something...? I learned to fly in 172s and we flew with the windows up against the wing regularly on hot days.

Karmutzen wrote:When I had a 150 I installed quick pins on the passenger door, mainly for ease of loading - mountain bike, wood spars for wings, skis, etc. Flew with it off a few times for photo shoots, never thought anything off it. Saw enough other Cessnas with quick pins that it seemed normal.

Where in the Citabria POH does it address door off? And what's the value of a W&B on a 10 lb difference at the same station where a 100-300 lb pilot might sit?

Hey Karmutzen. The Citabria POH for my '76 never addressed door off flying, but it was placarded to stay below 100mph and no aerobatics with door off or window open.

182 STOL driver wrote:I wouldn't take door off for fresh air - just open window And slow to under 100 indicated . Open both windows and cruise - we do it all the time in Desert Southwest. Pretty breezy so things need to be tied down or left in hanger .

I tried this. There is lots of air flow for the back seat, but not much up front. Maybe it would be better with flat windows, as the 6" bubbles dont open to far before hitting the wings.

A1Skinner wrote:

Karmutzen wrote:When I had a 150 I installed quick pins on the passenger door, mainly for ease of loading - mountain bike, wood spars for wings, skis, etc. Flew with it off a few times for photo shoots, never thought anything off it. Saw enough other Cessnas with quick pins that it seemed normal.

Where in the Citabria POH does it address door off? And what's the value of a W&B on a 10 lb difference at the same station where a 100-300 lb pilot might sit?

Hey Karmutzen. The Citabria POH for my '76 never addressed door off flying, but it was placarded to stay below 100mph and no aerobatics with door off or window open.

Top of window has 2 pins in hinge remove these and that should be better . As to air in front not too much can be done