I tend to agree, Mike. Mal MaClure in Australia developed a very cheap,
very simple way of making the doors safe and stopping the slight bowing
that occurs when the fresh air vents are open. Ever had your shirt
sleeve gently tugged by the slight draft going under the bottom edge of
the door? I've an idea Bob Berube did something similar?
He fitted a small nylon wedge to the door and the door frame mid way
along the bottom of the door, the two wedges just latch and hold when
the door is closed. The door flexes slightly as it latches and
unlatches, (don't worry about this) If the door isn't fully closed it
won't be latched but you may still get the front shoot bolt in. Then
after take off there will be an unusual draft through the gear lever
slot, it's caused byt the air being sucked out of the cockpit through
the back edge of the door.
Mal's mod means you just latch the door and if it's latched, close the
shoot bolts. If it isn't latched don't lock it.
Graham
Mike Gregory wrote:
> I am not convinced of the desirability of having any additional one
> locking mechanism to prevent opening in flight that might either
> prevent the pilot/passenger or outside rescuers from opening the
> canopy in the event of a crash landing. If, for example your engine
> failed on takeoff and you had to make an immediate forced landing
> without being able to choose where and without time to unlock the
> doors, you would not wish to jeopardise your chances of survival
> further by being locked in.
>
>
>
>*
>*
>
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