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Gas Spring Door Stays
- Thread starter carllee
- Start date
JBunn
New member
Hidden Lake, New Port Richey, FL
- Aircraft Year
- 1973
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N112DG
- Serial Number
- 105
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Carl,
I'll be the first to buy the landing light STC. CPAC is installing the gas door stays now at the Cape while 89J is in annual. Thanks
Carl,
I'll be the first to buy the landing light STC. CPAC is installing the gas door stays now at the Cape while 89J is in annual. Thanks
Long Island, NY (USA)
- Aircraft Year
- 1976
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N127XY
- Serial Number
- 14039
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Does that mean you'll be selling the brackets only as a replacement for the factory bracket, or will you be packaging a complete kit with electrical installation parts and instructions?
Does that mean you'll be selling the brackets only as a replacement for the factory bracket, or will you be packaging a complete kit with electrical installation parts and instructions?
N4843W
New member
SE MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N4843W
- Serial Number
- 14173
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Carl ... Landing in the Chicago area Friday ... winds 24 gusting 32. Departing Chicago Sunday ... wind 17 gusing 34. Had one of my sons with me both times. NEVER was I so happy to have your gas door stays! One of the best additions to the Commander, ever.
I had my first experience coming into a smaller airport (Leesburg, FL) a couple of weeks ago and the PCL would not activate. 1:30 AM after long night dodging thunderstorms. I have both a Lopresti Boom Beam and wing lights installed by the factory ... and they had a 4 light VASI (but not other lights. With the lights I had, I was able to do still land with a measure of safety ... but not something I'd want to do very often. So I am looking forward to adding two MORE lights as soon as they are available! Called the airport the next morning and they found out the lights were "intermittent."
Carl ... Landing in the Chicago area Friday ... winds 24 gusting 32. Departing Chicago Sunday ... wind 17 gusing 34. Had one of my sons with me both times. NEVER was I so happy to have your gas door stays! One of the best additions to the Commander, ever.
I had my first experience coming into a smaller airport (Leesburg, FL) a couple of weeks ago and the PCL would not activate. 1:30 AM after long night dodging thunderstorms. I have both a Lopresti Boom Beam and wing lights installed by the factory ... and they had a 4 light VASI (but not other lights. With the lights I had, I was able to do still land with a measure of safety ... but not something I'd want to do very often. So I am looking forward to adding two MORE lights as soon as they are available! Called the airport the next morning and they found out the lights were "intermittent."
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Joe Cavanaugh and I installed the first set of “late model” gas spring door stays on his 114A on Saturday, and had them inspected and tested by the FAA. This is the same kit that will fit all of the 114A, 114B, and late model 112TCAs. The STC should be issued in a few weeks, so I should be able to start shipping by the end of July.
Joe and I were quite pleased with the way they performed. It was hot when he left Paso Robles, so it was fun to see him taxi away with the door open.
Thanks again Joe for your help and patience, and thank you, to all of you who have been waiting for these, for your patience as well.
Joe Cavanaugh and I installed the first set of “late model” gas spring door stays on his 114A on Saturday, and had them inspected and tested by the FAA. This is the same kit that will fit all of the 114A, 114B, and late model 112TCAs. The STC should be issued in a few weeks, so I should be able to start shipping by the end of July.
Joe and I were quite pleased with the way they performed. It was hot when he left Paso Robles, so it was fun to see him taxi away with the door open.
Thanks again Joe for your help and patience, and thank you, to all of you who have been waiting for these, for your patience as well.
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Hi Steve,
The later models used a completely different door design, so the two are not interchangeable. The limiting factor for the older style doors is the “knuckle” that protrudes from the door jam. This limits the length of the gas spring (I had to custom order the springs to get them as long as I did – they are as long as they can be). The later models don't have this restriction because that “knuckle” doesn't exist on them. Their latch mechanism doesn't require it. The only way around this would be to replace your doors with the later model doors. I would love to do this myself, but it's a little out of my price range. If it is any consolation, one thing that I have noticed is that because the way the door rolls over into the roof of the plane, adding more travel doesn't really get them completely out of your way.
Hi Steve,
The later models used a completely different door design, so the two are not interchangeable. The limiting factor for the older style doors is the “knuckle” that protrudes from the door jam. This limits the length of the gas spring (I had to custom order the springs to get them as long as I did – they are as long as they can be). The later models don't have this restriction because that “knuckle” doesn't exist on them. Their latch mechanism doesn't require it. The only way around this would be to replace your doors with the later model doors. I would love to do this myself, but it's a little out of my price range. If it is any consolation, one thing that I have noticed is that because the way the door rolls over into the roof of the plane, adding more travel doesn't really get them completely out of your way.
atjudge
New member
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
I had mine installed last annual,so I haven't had them very long. I just got back from Austin, and at almost 100 degrees and plenty of humidity, these things are worth it. I cant get the door open fast enough after landing. Just pop them open and they take care of themselves without any minding from the front seat pax. On taxi out it's a pleasure to just leave them open until the run up. I did notice they may not open as much as the originals, but I haven't had any problems with the slightly less angle of the open door. It's only half an Aviation Monetary Unit, money spent well.
I had mine installed last annual,so I haven't had them very long. I just got back from Austin, and at almost 100 degrees and plenty of humidity, these things are worth it. I cant get the door open fast enough after landing. Just pop them open and they take care of themselves without any minding from the front seat pax. On taxi out it's a pleasure to just leave them open until the run up. I did notice they may not open as much as the originals, but I haven't had any problems with the slightly less angle of the open door. It's only half an Aviation Monetary Unit, money spent well.
jmcb
New member
Spring Branch, TX
- Aircraft Year
- 1979
- Aircraft Type
- 114A
- Reg Number
- N114GG
- Serial Number
- 14529
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Actually, if Carl had someone a little more mechanically competent he could have done it in half the time.
I have to say; these were worth the wait! Carl did an excellent job with these and they actually work better than I thought they would.
Carl, it was cool (literally as well) to taxi to RWY 19 @ PRB with the pilot door open and I was surprised that the noise factor was negligible also!
Thanks again!
Actually, if Carl had someone a little more mechanically competent he could have done it in half the time.
I have to say; these were worth the wait! Carl did an excellent job with these and they actually work better than I thought they would.
Carl, it was cool (literally as well) to taxi to RWY 19 @ PRB with the pilot door open and I was surprised that the noise factor was negligible also!
Thanks again!
P
paulcarey
Guest
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Carl I have a 1994 114B sn 14612 Am I out of luck? Thanks Paul Carey
Carl I have a 1994 114B sn 14612 Am I out of luck? Thanks Paul Carey
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Hi Doug, Paul,
The kit that Joe and I just installed on his plane is the same kit that fits the 114B's. The STC should be issued in a few weeks, so I should be able to start shipping by the end of July.
Thanks,
Hi Doug, Paul,
The kit that Joe and I just installed on his plane is the same kit that fits the 114B's. The STC should be issued in a few weeks, so I should be able to start shipping by the end of July.
Thanks,
aaaprod
New member
Waterford, MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1161J
- Serial Number
- 161
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
I will be buying the whole kit when the baggage door comes out. I am looking forward to the elegance of having the gas struts for the fuselage and baggage doors.
I will be buying the whole kit when the baggage door comes out. I am looking forward to the elegance of having the gas struts for the fuselage and baggage doors.
alandotson
New member
Full time RVer... 2010 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 112TCA
- Reg Number
- N76CR
- Serial Number
- 13181
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Carl, There are some out here (me!) who would like to purchase ALL your items! Any chance you could "bundle" the door stays kit and your leg lights kit (unpainted) at a somewhat lower total price? Perhaps 1 AMU for both kits; of course, purchased together? Think about it...
Regards, Alan
Carl, There are some out here (me!) who would like to purchase ALL your items! Any chance you could "bundle" the door stays kit and your leg lights kit (unpainted) at a somewhat lower total price? Perhaps 1 AMU for both kits; of course, purchased together? Think about it...
Regards, Alan
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