I’m aware of specialized “jump doors”, etc. But, are there any factory or FAA prohibitions against flying a single engine Cessna model 150-to-207 with one or both of the regular pilots’ doors removed? If it’s authorized, does anyone have any lessons learned from their experience?

Thanx, Dave

Varies from one model to the next. Some (185) have blast deflectors, etc.

It’s model specific.

MTV

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If you're removing the pilot-side door, some tape around the seat-belt latch to keep it from being bumped open isn't a bad idea. You can break it with your hand easily enough, but you won't find yourself unbelted because the headset cord got caught under the latch. Amazing how vulnerable you feel with no door next to you.

Anything that can blow around will...floor mats, windshield rags, charts, extra headsets, 40 years worth of dust, or all of the above.

No idea of the legality, but I seem to remember that from somewhere...

The legal side is the toughest part. My 205 has quick release pins and the door comes off in seconds. I've called my local FSDO, several jump zones, and searched for hours online. From what I can gather, you need either a field approval or an STC, unless door off flight is specifically called out in your POH.

I can say from a friend who has a 205 and has flown it with the passenger door off and the co-pilot seat removed, once you get to about rotation speed the wind inside almost disappears and the plane flies no different than if the door was there. No idea what it would do if you had both doors off though.

If anyone has better info on the legal side, I'm always trying to sort that out.

[quote="205Pilot"]The legal side is the toughest part. My 205 has quick release pins and the door comes off in seconds. I've called my local FSDO, several jump zones, and searched for hours online. From what I can gather, you need either a field approval or an STC, unless door off flight is specifically called out in your POH.

That's a great description of the legal side. I would just add that it is a modification to the POH and includes flight limitations like maximum yaw and air speed. Also it will spell out restraint and parachute requirements for the passengers and pilot, basically one seat belt is not enough, normally you also need a secondary restraint or a parachute.

My '53 170B paperwork includes a doors-off approval signed by the FSDO Inspector of San Juan, Puerto Rico, dated 1962. Among other operating restrictions, it says "smoking not permitted with door removed".

-DP

My 1960 172A has had a placard in it since I purchased it that says flight is allowed with door removed. I guess I have forgotten if there is any paperwork in the file for it. Having said this, I have never flown it with the door removed. I flew a previously owned plane all the time with the seaplane door open. Gets pretty windy for the person sitting in the back seat though.

Search the uspa website . I think there is info on there that could be helpful . Also as far as parachutes and seatbelts go , you get one or the other when the door is open or off ....NOT BOTH !

low rider wrote:... Also as far as parachutes and seatbelts go , you get one or the other when the door is open or off ....NOT BOTH !

??? I always wore both while flying skydivers, regardless of whether the cabin was separated from the jumpers. I don't see the conflict.

Guess I should have clarified . For passengers . Never want them losing pilot chute out the door with a seatbelt on. That’s no fun . Not worried about pilot rig doing that .

denalipilot wrote: Among other operating restrictions, it says "smoking not permitted with door removed".

Well, yeah, duh. They had the good sense to help you avoid such folly. Turn your head just the slightest and that 1" long hot cherry is nipped off your cig by the raging wind and lands on the dog's rubber stamp and then all hell breaks loose.