Anyone have any information on converting standard pilot and copilot doors into the vertical opening delorean style gull wing doors? I've searched the archives and sent a few PMs to owners who mentioned they had them but have yet to hear back from anyone. I'm assuming its a field approval but if anyone has an STC I'd be happy to purchase the paperwork. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

James

It's a field approval. No STC yet. I have paperwork. Send me a private post with your email.

I'm sure I would not be installing gullwing doors, but, just that same, I am interested in seeeing pics.

Rick,
PM sent. Thank you.

James

Question about these gull wing doors. Has anyone tried flying with a door open? Maybe on accident or on purpose. Whats the outcome?

I talked to a Maule owner who has them. He has flown with one open a a time, never both at the same time, He said there was no discernable difference from flying with a door off. I have been attempting to collect copy's of field approvals and different designs. If I can ever find a sympathetic FAA inspector I would get them like right now.

I have the 337 paperwork as well. If interested pm me

David Maule has designed and built a really slick gull wing door incorporating the new door latch system. When or if he ever gets around to getting it certified has yet to be seen. I sure hope he does as there seems to be quite a bit of interest in them.

Duane wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 17, 2020 10:14 am

David Maule has designed and built a really slick gull wing door incorporating the new door latch system. When or if he ever gets around to getting it certified has yet to be seen. I sure hope he does as there seems to be quite a bit of interest in them.

I think there would be a huge amount of interest in that Duane. However, given that very Maule door is custom-fit to the airframe, it wouldn’t quite work to just order a pair. Or does his design involve a retro-fit to the existing doors? If so, that might sell like hot cakes.

Duane wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 17, 2020 10:14 am

David Maule has designed and built a really slick gull wing door incorporating the new door latch system. When or if he ever gets around to getting it certified has yet to be seen. I sure hope he does as there seems to be quite a bit of interest in them.

Duane, as Andy and others have indicated, I also believe this would be a very popular Factory Modification, especially if any kit were to incorporate the latest door latch.

Ditto for me as well, with one caveat, All of the Maule Mods field approvals that I have seen (4) have required the removal of the swing out windows. I can't understand why, I see no compelling reason to omit the swing out window. I want both gullwing doors and swing out windows.

I like the idea of Gull Wing and swing out windows. But I would rather sacrifice for more weight savings. I am currently pondering rebuilding my doors to be full “glass” top to bottom with no aluminum trim. That’s combined with gull wing would be sweet. Then the ability to fly with a gull wing open would be the icing.

I just sold myself, Duane get those doors certified as retrofit ASAP.

When we were racing off road, weight saving was the most important thing for me and I spent a lot of money on aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. One of my good (ex) fiends said, you want to really save some weight? I got two words for you. Jenny Craig! Na, were still friends. but the math is true, twenty five pounds off of me, in airplane dollars, is worth what ? $25,000 ?

That saying has been around for ever and is always true. But, serious weight reduction can be had for little money on certified aircraft when you start removing junk and unneeded frills. I could easily drop 25lbs in my plane today for under $4k and that’s being conservative. Just changing my starter and battery alone would probably do it. Add that up with dropping a pound per door and you start making a real dent. Plus Jenny Craig is gross!

I'm sure it is gross! I have all ready plucked most of the low hanging fruit. I have the lightest starter/ battery/ alternator/ that is legal for my plane along with CF prop/ CF floorboard/ CF wing tips Yada Yada Yada. From here on, I'm past the fat and down to the bone.