I think your idea is good. Mock it up in cardboard or thin corrugated stock. If I were doing it, I'd use a skin of .025 -- or even .020. An A-shaped frame of .032 -- thick in the middle like a boomerang -- would retain your door shape, and the bend in the skin would add strength. You could use a very light gas strut.
Leave enough space at the bottom so the latch doesn't interfere with your rudder cable.
I like the push latches I have, but I'd still put a lock on it.
Cargo Door
- SheepdogRD
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Re: Cargo Door
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
- SheepdogRD
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Re: Cargo Door
There's another Forum thread on this topic here: http://wingsforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=21584.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
- SheepdogRD
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Re: Cargo Door
Here's another very interesting cargo door from the 2015 build of N1099S. I don't know if this had an engineering or factory review. Nevertheless, it certainly raises other ideas of ways to build cargo doors, even without modifying any structural members.
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Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
- SheepdogRD
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- Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 5:41 pm
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Re: Cargo Door
One other note from the picture above: this style of cargo door could be built without modifying the fuselage structure. It wouldn't provide the huge clear opening this one does, but it would still provide easier access to the space. The top of the door could be moved up, near the upper longeron, and the bottom would probably best like this one: placed above the rudder cable. It could be kept light by using an aluminum frame on the fuselage and another for the fabric-covered door.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
- SheepdogRD
- Proprietor
- Posts: 935
- Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 5:41 pm
- Location: West of Atlanta, GA
Re: Cargo Door
If your plane is already covered, here's an option: Adding a Baggage Door on a covered Highlander http://www.wingsforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=24458.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.