Flying with a door off?

Hey-

I'd like to try some air to air photography. Does anyone know if it is
feasible to fly either a Bonanza or a Cessna 172/182/206 without a
passenger door or window? Do we need any special paperwork from the FAA
FSDO?

The plane we are trying to take pictures of is a bit to fast in clean
configuration for the local Robinson R22 to keep up with.

Has anyone done this? Suggestions?

Len
KBFI

Taking the window out of a Bonanza would probably be more than you want to
do, cost and aggrivation.

For many years I've geen using a 172. Just take the screw that connects the
support to the window. Then when you slow down, just push the window out and
up. It will stay in the up position. I've done that shooting video, and
stills.

If your budget allows, rent a JetRanger and take the door off. I've done
that a lot too. Both with a camera mount (Tyler Middle mount and Nose mount)
and hand held. The Tyler does require a STC and speed restrictions so you
don't suck the photographer out. That can get breezy in Jan and Feb.
Ron




"Len" wrote in message
...
Hey-

I'd like to try some air to air photography. Does anyone know if it is
feasible to fly either a Bonanza or a Cessna 172/182/206 without a
passenger door or window? Do we need any special paperwork from the FAA
FSDO?

The plane we are trying to take pictures of is a bit to fast in clean
configuration for the local Robinson R22 to keep up with.

Has anyone done this? Suggestions?

Len
KBFI



*** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com ***

The model 36 Bonanza can be flown with the rear cargo doors
removed. A mechanic should do the removal and
reinstallation. Every one on the plane needs to be secured
with the seatbelts at all times and the camera person in the
rear might need a parachute. Ask your local FSDO.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.



"Len" wrote in message
...
| Hey-
|
| I'd like to try some air to air photography. Does anyone
know if it is
| feasible to fly either a Bonanza or a Cessna 172/182/206
without a
| passenger door or window? Do we need any special
paperwork from the FAA
| FSDO?
|
| The plane we are trying to take pictures of is a bit to
fast in clean
| configuration for the local Robinson R22 to keep up with.
|
| Has anyone done this? Suggestions?
|
| Len
| KBFI

Too bad you aren't a little further south. I'm based at Corvallis, and
love to fly my Savannah with doors off. It has even warmed up to
nearly shirt sleeve conditions.
tom

"tom" wrote in message
oups.com...
Too bad you aren't a little further south. I'm based at Corvallis, and
love to fly my Savannah with doors off. It has even warmed up to
nearly shirt sleeve conditions.

I got checked out in a Grumman Tiger at Bertea in Corvallis many years ago
and the instructor said "The best part is, you can open the canopy in
flight. Check this out...!" Turns out, according to the operator's
manual, you're not supposed to do that. I did all the required work to get
checked out in it and about three weeks later they sold it.

Do they still have the helicopter flight school in Corvallis with all the
rich Japanese exchange students?

"Cwollis twarric hero *indistinguishable*, Cwollis"

I used to fly out of CVO. Back in '90 my friends and I used to drag-race
our pickups on the abandoned taxi-way out by the VOR at 2 or 3 in the
morning when nobody was likely to use the airfield. I loved the old B-17
pads.

-c

On 2006-05-22, gatt wrote:
I got checked out in a Grumman Tiger at Bertea in Corvallis many years ago
and the instructor said "The best part is, you can open the canopy in
flight. Check this out...!" Turns out, according to the operator's
manual, you're not supposed to do that.

Which operators manual would that be?

It is entirely OK to open a Grumman Cheetah or Tiger canopy in flight.
It is even placarded in the plane at what airspeeds you should do this
at, and how far you may slide the canopy back.
--
Yes, the Reply-To email address is valid.
Oolite-Linux: an Elite tribute: http://oolite-linux.berlios.de

"Dylan Smith" wrote in message
...

Turns out, according to the operator's
manual, you're not supposed to do that.

Which operators manual would that be?

Don't remember. Whatever it said, I remember realizing that he'd violated
it during the checkout flight. IIRC, you can open it to a certain point,
but he opened it all the way.


-c

All Cessna 172s are cleared to fly with the passenger door off. We do it
regularly. All must where a seatbelt during the entire flight. Bit
breezy though.

Len wrote:
Hey-

I'd like to try some air to air photography. Does anyone know if it is
feasible to fly either a Bonanza or a Cessna 172/182/206 without a
passenger door or window? Do we need any special paperwork from the FAA
FSDO?

The plane we are trying to take pictures of is a bit to fast in clean
configuration for the local Robinson R22 to keep up with.

Has anyone done this? Suggestions?

Len
KBFI

Len wrote:
Hey-

I'd like to try some air to air photography. Does anyone know if it is
feasible to fly either a Bonanza or a Cessna 172/182/206 without a
passenger door or window? Do we need any special paperwork from the FAA
FSDO?

The plane we are trying to take pictures of is a bit to fast in clean
configuration for the local Robinson R22 to keep up with.

Has anyone done this? Suggestions?

Len
KBFI
Know from personal experience you can fly and take photos in a 172 with
the px door removed...but dress warm...it gets VERY breezy.
DCM