i needs some help, anybody hear of an stc that permits you to fly 172a without both doors? my mechanic said you can try for a field approval but good luck with that , or stc. thanks for any help, heater

My 172A is placarded with a 'door removal' sign but I will have to get to the hangar to tell you exactly what it says. I think it was for parachuting. I'll look through my logs to see if there is an STC or anything refering to the placard.
Keith

There is an FAA AC list that gives approval for door removed for flight. Look under USPA.org or search. I dont know were it is now. An A&P has to sign off the door removal in the log, Do a weight and balance, follow the other items in the AC. The 172 is in it.

Did just a quick search. Everything I have found and Im sure that everyone will say you need the approval from the highest Grand Poo Ba before flying a 172 with the door removed. I have U206s that have the approval in the TCD and POH.

AC105-2c, http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/c96c33525870370c862569de005bd7aa/$FILE/AC105-2c.pdf

The 172 is on the list, but that doesn't make it automatic. You must still request to the FAA who you are, what plane, where it's based, and why you want to operate with the door removed. Details are in the AC.

I believe the FAA has cancelled that AC, as of a couple months ago... I think they removed the list of 'approved' aircraft from the AC forcing you to have an STC/LSTC permission on The type certificate. AC 105-2D is the new one... Stupid government.

mmartin1872 wrote:I believe the FAA has cancelled that AC, as of a couple months ago... I think they removed the list of 'approved' aircraft from the AC forcing you to have an STC/LSTC permission on The type certificate. AC 105-2D is the new one... Stupid government.

Oh thanks, I was unaware. I let my S&TA status expire last fall and don't stay updated on that stuff as much anymore.

No problem..The one thing we can count on is once, Transport Canada or the FAA figure out that people are starting to 'grasp' the rules, they change them.. It ensures that 'enforcement' will be able to keep bringing in the paycheques.

Thanks everyone for your time and information, heater

I fought with the Oakland FSDO about this decades ago regarding my C180 when I was flying for the sheriff's dept in Santa Rosa. The answer, depending on who I talked to was, "I think you can" or, "I don't think you can." With nothing constructive to back it up. I finally said to hell with them, and just pulled the doors and flew the mission I needed to fly.

The problem I found though, was some pretty intense buffeting inside the cabin, which increased dramatically with airspeeds over 100 KTS. I assume directly related to not having an air deflector installed on the leading edge of the doors. It was enough that it seemed if I had pushed harder I stood a chance of blowing one of the rear windows out. Under 100 KTS it was business as usual so I just kept my speeds down.

Gump

Not a Cessna, but a Ma*** M5, has door-off operation for the rear passenger door/and baggage door. Restrictions are 1) maximum airspeed 125 mph, 2) maximum bank angle 30 degrees, 3) maximum yaw angle 10 degrees, 3) no smoking permitted, 4) limit flight to vfr conditions. The M7's might allow a front door removal, but not both...not sure. Have never done it, but very tempted with the warm temps lately, good for camera work, too.

donknee wrote: Not a Cessna, but a Ma*** M5, has door-off operation for the rear passenger door/and baggage door......

Must be for aerial livestock feeding or other similar in-flight off-loading. Pretty smart of Maule, oops Ma***, to actually include that in the operating limits-- of course, the Ma*** was designed to be a utility aircraft suitable for ranchers etc.

Ha ha hotrod! I bought the aircraft from a rancher/farmer in South Dakota, he, his dad and uncle had owned the airplane since new. They had a ranch and hanger in So. Dakota and in Nebraska. Didn't find much straw or hay under the floorboards, but he did go pheasant hunting with his dog. Medical forced sale. It is set up pretty good for utility work. Just made the post to outline the restrictions as a guideline for fsdo waiver. Like Gump say's, low speed is not an issue....