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Thread: Flying with doors open

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  1. #1

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    Default Flying with doors open

    Hi Guys,

    I now have aprox. 12 hrs on my kitfox 3 with a rotax 912. I would like to try flying with the doors open, other then securing everything inside are there any other precautions I should take or anything I should know.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flying with doors open

    Probably avoid aggressive slips with doors open. The doors can come down quickly even with the gas struts in place. Don't stick you head out or you may loose your headset and sunglasses .


    I've had my model 4 up to 125 mph with the pilots door open. No problems. Hopefully you'll never see 125 mph in a model 3. My model 3 was comfortable at 80 mph with the doors open.
    Have fun.


    DesertFox4
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    7 Super Sport
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  3. #3
    N82HB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flying with doors open

    I flew my model III with door open between 75 and 80 and was surprised at how calm it was in the airplane. Now my model IV at least makes enough wind inside to activate the intercom occasionally, but that is at 110-115. You will be surprised how easy the door is to manage while opening and closing; it is almost a 2 finger endeavor.
    Kelly

  4. #4
    Senior Member Monocock's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flying with doors open

    The first time I did it I spent about 5 minutes making sure my straps were all done up tight and that there was nothing that could blow away. I gingerly opened the door and then wondered why I had been so worried!

    It's lovely and even better if you throttle right back to about 55 or 60 mph. If you get low enough you can even smell the barbecues from down below!

    The only thing I would say is that if you are wearing shorts (or trousers) with thigh pockets, make sure there is nothing in the pockets. A mobile phone or car keys can easily find their way out!!

    I also found that my rather large key fob that was on my ignition switch (located on the far left of my panel) was buffeting around a lot so took that off in case it buffeted so hard that it turned it off!

    Someone also said that if you side-slip, make sure that both doors are open or the turtle-deck can pop out due to the side blast. I tend to have the doors shut for landing so can't comment on this.
    Last edited by Monocock; 07-21-2010 at 12:52 AM.

  5. #5
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flying with doors open

    I put a short loop of webbing around the door frame tubing that divides the top and bottom of the door so I can reach it to close the door without leaning out too far to reach the one on the bottom of the door.
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

  6. #6
    farmboy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flying with doors open

    I would not recomend leaving doors open on take off at all. I have a kitfox IV with a 582 and the plane absolutely did not want to leave the ground, granted I had a passenger and and the air was hot and humid. I had been flying prior to that particular flight with a heavier passenger with no problems, but with the doors open on take off it had too much drag and no lift. It was a very poor decision on my part and concider my self very lucky no one got hurt and did not seriously damage the aircraft.

  7. #7
    Senior Member SkySteve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flying with doors open

    I've added a light weight nylon chord tied between the top and bottom of the shock absorber type door holder which limits the travel of the door so it can't touch the underside of the wing. This also keeps scratches off the bubble doors from vibrating against the wings during taxi with doors open.
    Steve Wilson
    Huntsville, UT
    Kitfox 85DD
    912A / 3 Blade Taper Tip Warp Drive
    Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel
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  8. #8

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    Thumbs up Re: Flying with doors open

    Hi Guys,
    Thanks for all the advice, I now have about 5 hrs of flying with the doors open. I started my first flight with both doors open with no ill afects ( the t/o roll was a little longer then usual). Its the only way to fly on hot summer days, and great for taking pictures.

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