freestyle7457 0 #1 August 7, 2007 Is there any easy way to rig the door on a Cessna or is it mainly a shop job? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #2 August 7, 2007 I'm not sure what you are asking. Give more details as to what you have, and what you'd like. Are you saying you have a factory standard front hinged door, and you'd like a jump door, that is hinged on the top? Or are you asking about the more modern roll-up door, or what? -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #3 August 7, 2007 I'm not sure what you're asking, but the answer is no. There is no easy way to do anything to an airplane in the US. It's always complicated and expensive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freestyle7457 0 #4 August 7, 2007 to make the door open up instead of out... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #5 August 7, 2007 Quoteto make the door open up instead of out... Most C182s used in skydiving have the door configured to open up, sometimes with a latch built into the wing to hold it up there with a release in the cockpit for the pilot to pull to shut the door once the jumpers are out. It does require a request and paperwork with the FAA for the changes, at the very least."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #6 August 7, 2007 Converting a Cessna door to hinge at the top is definitely a "shop" job. Furthermore, the shop must hold a Supplementary Type Certificate to install in-flight doors. STCs can be expensive. It is far simpler to buy a license to use an existing STC. Hint: it is rumored that USPA headquarters holds an STC for an in-flight door. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freestyle7457 0 #7 August 7, 2007 ok then in relation to the first question, how hard is it to get out of a "normal" cessna door? (the one's that open out)...like a 182 or a 205 that you could rent from any local airport Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #8 August 7, 2007 Quotehow hard is it to get out of a "normal" cessna door? (the one's that open out)...like a 182 or a 205 that you could rent from any local airport Very difficult. Especially if the pilot doesn't have any experience flying jumpers. You can snag handles on the way out, or even break your leg as the door slams shut behind you. I've done it, but don't advise it, and wouldn't do it again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #9 August 7, 2007 QuoteQuotehow hard is it to get out of a "normal" cessna door? (the one's that open out)...like a 182 or a 205 that you could rent from any local airport Very difficult. Especially if the pilot doesn't have any experience flying jumpers. You can snag handles on the way out, or even break your leg as the door slams shut behind you. I've done it, but don't advise it, and wouldn't do it again. If the pilot was very experienced and could fly with the fuselage tilted to the right to block the wind, you could get the door open a little easier, but damned if I'm going to try it."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lastchance 0 #10 August 7, 2007 Tuff to do. Wouldn't recomend it. Almost all Cesnas can be flown with the door off. Look in the SIM and you will find a list of most airplanes that can be waivered to fly with the door off.Pull two pins and your set. You have to have the plane waivered to fly with the door off legally. But that is not to difficult. Summertime flying with the door off is great. In the winter it gets a little cold. I may be getting old but I got to see all the cool bands. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirWhore 0 #11 August 7, 2007 Just take the door off..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,466 #12 August 7, 2007 Hi freestyle, I've done it; it is not the easiest thing to do. You need a good pilot that knows what to do, you need to have your actions planned and then you need to do things quickly. It is a short window of time for you to get the door open and yourself out. This type of exit has the potential for a lot of things that could/can go wrong. Jerry PS) Is this some type of bandit jump you are thinking about making? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denete 3 #13 August 7, 2007 I was flying a 172 as a student once and my door popped open while I was on my downwind leg. Pucker. Hold the yoke with one hand, grab the door with the other and slam it shut...while not disturbing the yoke. It was hard enough climbing into that plane without a rig on, I can't imagine climbing out with one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baseknut 0 #14 August 7, 2007 Quote ok then in relation to the first question, how hard is it to get out of a "normal" cessna door? (the one's that open out)...like a 182 or a 205 that you could rent from any local airport what exactly are you planning? i smell a banditStep into my (sub)terminal Playground Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #15 August 7, 2007 47 jumps in two years, sounds like you should spend more time thinking about how to make more jumps at a dz and stay current, instead of how to rent a local plane with your buddy at the control while you fool around with trying to open the door so your fat ass can get out. Even posting such a question shows a lack of good judgement on your part. If you go ahead with your jump, don't forget to file the needed NOTAM and or paperwork.you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrismgtis 0 #16 August 7, 2007 Without the expertise to already know the answer to your questions yourself, you don't need to be doing this.Rodriguez Brother #1614, Muff Brother #4033 Jumped: Twin Otter, Cessna 182, CASA, Helicopter, Caravan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lekstrom10k 0 #17 August 8, 2007 Most Cessna's come from the factory with peened over rivets on the door hinges. If you are renting from a club they will be pissed if you bring back their plane with them ground off and pins put back in. What would stop anybody from pulling them at a tie-down. A3/64 allen wrench could get them $5000 of radios in seconds and even bother to put thr door back in place.Removing the fuselage hinges is possible but very frustrating with rust and stripping phillips head screws, plus pulling the kick panels.Going out the door of a C-172or C-182 is easy even with someone in the co-pilots seat. If its foreward push the door open facing aft put your left foot outon the wheel strut and wedge yourself out with your shoulders and go it closes by itself. Both C-150's and C-152 are easy too.If you do a two-way out of a Mooney or AT-6 its harder but still fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freestyle7457 0 #18 August 8, 2007 yeah my friend and i were thinking about it...just wanted some questions answered first Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billeisele 130 #19 August 8, 2007 Quoteyeah my friend and i were thinking about it...just wanted some questions answered first really bad idea, but if you are intent on doing it anyway, wear a full size hard helmet, it will prevent you skull from getting cracked when the door slamsGive one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
