dcrogers11 Posted July 31, 2014 Report Posted July 31, 2014 I contacted a company called Mountain View Aviation about a product call the Door Steward. They have a STC'd replacement for worn door slides/stop for some airplanes, unfortunately Mooney is not yet on the list of STC's. Their kit replaces the slide with a gas charged cylinder that is spring loaded. When you open the door latch, the door smoothly opens just like one you would see on a car trunk or hood. I tried it out on a Piper that is in the same shop that's doing my avionics work and it's really nice. The owner at MVA said that I should be able to install it as a minor alteration with a field approval, but he said he would give me a full refund if it didn't work out for me. All parts are PMA'd so he thought it should work. The kit is around $200. I'll report back what happens. http://www.shop.mtnviewaviation.com/ Don 2 Quote
KSMooniac Posted July 31, 2014 Report Posted July 31, 2014 I'm not sure there is enough volume in a Mooney installation for a cylinder, but it might be worth a try. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk Quote
dcrogers11 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Posted July 31, 2014 Heres a picture of a Piper installation- Quote
omega708 Posted July 31, 2014 Report Posted July 31, 2014 I have a buddy that installed one in his PA28. Nice product indeed, and definitely more robust that what was their previously. Quote
carusoam Posted July 31, 2014 Report Posted July 31, 2014 The automotive world has produced those cylinders in every size and strength. Holding a mooney baggage door open would not be out of the realm. It may weigh a pound...? Good luck, -a- Quote
dcrogers11 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Posted July 31, 2014 The automotive world has produced those cylinders in every size and strength. Holding a mooney baggage door open would not be out of the realm. It may weigh a pound...? Good luck, -a- I beleive the STC says 1/2 lb. so not a bad trade off. If the approval goes well, then the luggage door will get tried out. They already have a product for Cessna twins' luggage doors. How cool would it be just to hit the latch and let the door open itself. Of course, its always a good idea to lock it before flight, but this may make it more important to do so. Don Quote
Andy95W Posted August 1, 2014 Report Posted August 1, 2014 I'm putting one on my baggage door. My current is worn out and rusty. If nothing else, I'll never again wonder if I latched the baggage door. BTW, true Minor Alterations (of which this probably qualifies) do not need a Field Approval, just a logbook entry. Quote
Lood Posted August 1, 2014 Report Posted August 1, 2014 IINM, this is the same one that is also STC'd for Bonanza's. I've seen pictures of it on a Bonnie door and I'm sure it couldn't be too much effort to make it work on a Mooney door. Quote
Alan Fox Posted August 1, 2014 Report Posted August 1, 2014 The best part on these is if the wind catches your door , It doesn't slam open and stress the hinge ....Good product.....I have to get one for my Bo... Quote
1964-M20E Posted August 1, 2014 Report Posted August 1, 2014 I'm putting one on my baggage door. My current is worn out and rusty. If nothing else, I'll never again wonder if I latched the baggage door. BTW, true Minor Alterations (of which this probably qualifies) do not need a Field Approval, just a logbook entry. I agree minor alteration no effect on air flow or flight characteristics requires log book entry only. Order the cheapest one they have and then modify to work on your plane. Or just order the cylinder and the balls and fabricate brackets yourself. Simple sheet metal work. If you are real ambitious you could sew up a leather sleeve to cover it and make it look nicer. Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted August 1, 2014 Report Posted August 1, 2014 It would be fine for the baggage door, but not for the cabin door. The door slide fits underneath the door when it is closed. The air spring will need to be mounted outside the door. That is right where the passenger's leg goes. It would be very uncomfortable. Go sit in the passenger seat and imagine a couple of sheet metal brackets sticking out an inch or so from the bottom edge of the door. 1 Quote
jetdriven Posted August 1, 2014 Report Posted August 1, 2014 I agree that cylinder is a problem for a Mooney. Quote
dcrogers11 Posted August 1, 2014 Author Report Posted August 1, 2014 Go sit in the passenger seat and imagine a couple of sheet metal brackets sticking out an inch or so from the bottom edge of the door. It was my concern as well, so I sat in the Piper and took some measurements and the plain on passenger side seat cushion is a few inches above the lower door opening and it ends up being below your legs. I then looked in the Mooney and its about the same. I'll update everyone next week when I have the chance to mock it up in my plane. Don Quote
dcrogers11 Posted August 29, 2014 Author Report Posted August 29, 2014 All, The FSDO gave me approval to install the Door Steward as a minor alteration and a logbook entry. I'll update further when it is installed. Regards, Don Quote
Drumstick Posted January 22, 2017 Report Posted January 22, 2017 (edited) Not meaning to necropost - but what was the outcome of this experiment? Edited January 22, 2017 by Drumstick Quote
MooneyNate Posted February 25, 2017 Report Posted February 25, 2017 I'm with Drumstick, any update? I'm in the same boat as everyone else and mine needs replaced. Has anyone put one of these on the baggage door? Quote
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