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Gas Spring Door Stays
- Thread starter carllee
- Start date
Kevin Sweeney
New member
Hulett WY
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Thanks Carl, door struts are great.
Thanks Carl, door struts are great.
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Can someone please take a photo of the strut with the door closed? Im curious how much of the door attach point protrudes and if there is any potential of catching on something.. thanks!
Can someone please take a photo of the strut with the door closed? Im curious how much of the door attach point protrudes and if there is any potential of catching on something.. thanks!
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Hi Dan,
I'll take some pictures for you if you like. The gas springs protrude just slightly further than the knuckle in the door jam that the lower latch on your door connects to, at roughly the same height. They are below the seat level, so when the door is closed you won't even know they are there. Because the original door stays fold toward you when the door is closing, you are much more likely to catch something on them, or the knuckle in the door jam.
Hi Dan,
I'll take some pictures for you if you like. The gas springs protrude just slightly further than the knuckle in the door jam that the lower latch on your door connects to, at roughly the same height. They are below the seat level, so when the door is closed you won't even know they are there. Because the original door stays fold toward you when the door is closing, you are much more likely to catch something on them, or the knuckle in the door jam.
bradmc
New member
Seattle, WA, USA
- Aircraft Year
- 1975
- Aircraft Type
- 112/A
- Reg Number
- N1325J
- Serial Number
- 325
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
I was betting that your next announcement would be that you have acquired the assets of CPAC and were starting production of all hard-to-find 112 parts! Yeah, I know, a dream. How about just acquiring the assets of CPAC, for starters?
I was betting that your next announcement would be that you have acquired the assets of CPAC and were starting production of all hard-to-find 112 parts! Yeah, I know, a dream. How about just acquiring the assets of CPAC, for starters?
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Gorgeous Christmas tree ornaments, can also be worn, year round, as attractive earrings.
Not intended for installation on any motorized vehicles. Do not, under any circumstances, use these as door cams for Commander 112 or 114 model aircraft.
To order a set for your wife or mistress go here:
http://www.flyinvacations.com/sdm.asp?pg=products&specific=jnpnepf0
Gorgeous Christmas tree ornaments, can also be worn, year round, as attractive earrings.
Not intended for installation on any motorized vehicles. Do not, under any circumstances, use these as door cams for Commander 112 or 114 model aircraft.
To order a set for your wife or mistress go here:
http://www.flyinvacations.com/sdm.asp?pg=products&specific=jnpnepf0
Attachments
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Many of the late model Commander 114TC and 115 aircraft were equipped, from the factory, with gas spring door stays. Because of the way they were designed they are prone to failure. Once these gas springs, or the attaching hardware have failed the aircraft is at risk of damage by wind gusts or passengers unfamiliar with the delicate nature of the aircraft.
The late model gas spring door kit is approved for all Commander models with the factory gas spring door stays, but require the installation of a kit to provide an attachment point on the lower door jam. This kit reestablishes the earlier Commander 114 attachment point on the lower door jam.
These kits are free upon request when you order a late model gas spring door kit.
Many of the late model Commander 114TC and 115 aircraft were equipped, from the factory, with gas spring door stays. Because of the way they were designed they are prone to failure. Once these gas springs, or the attaching hardware have failed the aircraft is at risk of damage by wind gusts or passengers unfamiliar with the delicate nature of the aircraft.
The late model gas spring door kit is approved for all Commander models with the factory gas spring door stays, but require the installation of a kit to provide an attachment point on the lower door jam. This kit reestablishes the earlier Commander 114 attachment point on the lower door jam.
These kits are free upon request when you order a late model gas spring door kit.
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
It's hard to believe we have come to this point, but I'm at a fork in the road with the Early Model Gas Spring Kits. It's been a very successful program, with about 1/4 of the fleet now using them, but I've only received one order in the last 6 months, and I'm completely out of inventory. I'm trying to decide if I should do a final run of parts, or discontinue the program altogether. I'd hate to shut it down if some of you still want them.
Please email, call or respond here, if you would like me to do another run. Perhaps just a short run of 12 - 15 parts would be worth doing.
Thanks to all of you who have supported this effort over the years!
It's hard to believe we have come to this point, but I'm at a fork in the road with the Early Model Gas Spring Kits. It's been a very successful program, with about 1/4 of the fleet now using them, but I've only received one order in the last 6 months, and I'm completely out of inventory. I'm trying to decide if I should do a final run of parts, or discontinue the program altogether. I'd hate to shut it down if some of you still want them.
Please email, call or respond here, if you would like me to do another run. Perhaps just a short run of 12 - 15 parts would be worth doing.
Thanks to all of you who have supported this effort over the years!
Bolivar, MO
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 112TCA
- Reg Number
- N4645W
- Serial Number
- 13175
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Carl-
What is the life expectancy of our gas struts? I've looked at mine and wondered how hard it would be to replace the struts. (from my automotive experience, I go through a lot of them in older cars of all makes and models.)
You might think about replacement inventory.
By the way -- they have a real "cool factor" when you are already being eyed on a busy ramp and you open the door latch! k
Carl-
What is the life expectancy of our gas struts? I've looked at mine and wondered how hard it would be to replace the struts. (from my automotive experience, I go through a lot of them in older cars of all makes and models.)
You might think about replacement inventory.
By the way -- they have a real "cool factor" when you are already being eyed on a busy ramp and you open the door latch! k
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Hi Kelly,
I have a reserve for replacements.
Automotive applications are typically single seal, plastic bushing, high pressure springs used to lift a trunk lid, hood, or hatch cover with a lot of mechanical advantage against them, conversely in our application our springs are double seal, brass bushing, low pressure springs used to swing a door with very little mechanical advantage against them.
Since 2009 there have only been 3 failures reported to me. One was stepped on and bent, one failed immediately after installation, so was clearly a flawed part, a third failed after 6 years of service for unknown reasons. I've seen several installed backwards, there's predicting how long they will hold out under those conditions, but if installed correctly they should go a long, long time without requiring replacement.
Hi Kelly,
I have a reserve for replacements.
Automotive applications are typically single seal, plastic bushing, high pressure springs used to lift a trunk lid, hood, or hatch cover with a lot of mechanical advantage against them, conversely in our application our springs are double seal, brass bushing, low pressure springs used to swing a door with very little mechanical advantage against them.
Since 2009 there have only been 3 failures reported to me. One was stepped on and bent, one failed immediately after installation, so was clearly a flawed part, a third failed after 6 years of service for unknown reasons. I've seen several installed backwards, there's predicting how long they will hold out under those conditions, but if installed correctly they should go a long, long time without requiring replacement.
TKutchera
New member
Tucson, AZ
- Aircraft Year
- 1978
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N114SM
- Serial Number
- 14442
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
I installed mine about a year ago and Id have to say I had my first "save" last week. I took a passenger over to the east side of the Cascades for the 4th of July. I had briefed him on how to properly close (dont slam) and open our doors. When we got where we were going the winds were gusting to 38kts. I had parked on the ramp as best I could into the wind in between the buildings. I was busy getting my control lock in and before I could say anything he opened his door and the way the wind was blowing so hard and swirling around the buildings a gust caught his door and pulled it out of his hand and before I could finish wetting my pants the gas spring grabbed and slowly let it fully open.
Thank you Carl!
Tim
I installed mine about a year ago and Id have to say I had my first "save" last week. I took a passenger over to the east side of the Cascades for the 4th of July. I had briefed him on how to properly close (dont slam) and open our doors. When we got where we were going the winds were gusting to 38kts. I had parked on the ramp as best I could into the wind in between the buildings. I was busy getting my control lock in and before I could say anything he opened his door and the way the wind was blowing so hard and swirling around the buildings a gust caught his door and pulled it out of his hand and before I could finish wetting my pants the gas spring grabbed and slowly let it fully open.
Thank you Carl!
Tim
N4843W
New member
SE MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N4843W
- Serial Number
- 14173
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
I would think a lot of us would by a "spare" and I'd think the failure would most likely be from an owner, mechanic or passenger fail. But for just in case, why not offer a one-piston with any hardware that could be needed? I would sure buy one.
I would think a lot of us would by a "spare" and I'd think the failure would most likely be from an owner, mechanic or passenger fail. But for just in case, why not offer a one-piston with any hardware that could be needed? I would sure buy one.
London UK
- Aircraft Year
- 2000
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N928HW
- Serial Number
- 14672
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Hello Carl
As you know I've had mine since they were first released and they have performed admirably but I would buy a spare ram "just in case".
Fred
Hello Carl
As you know I've had mine since they were first released and they have performed admirably but I would buy a spare ram "just in case".
Fred
San José, Costa Rica
- Aircraft Year
- 1976
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- TI-COS
- Serial Number
- 14128
Re: Gas Spring Door Stays
Very sad hearing the possibility of the end of the program. I bought the three gas springs not so long ago and this is one of the best investments I ve made on my plane.
I strongly recommend those who has not get it to order and change Carl decision.
Thanks Carl, the plane is other with your product!!
Very sad hearing the possibility of the end of the program. I bought the three gas springs not so long ago and this is one of the best investments I ve made on my plane.
I strongly recommend those who has not get it to order and change Carl decision.
Thanks Carl, the plane is other with your product!!