Our secondary door latch

[Geico266]

I got a quote of $300 for the set.

[ScottSchmidt]

Now that is a very nice, easy and effective solution.
I would add this to my plane.

Dang, if Van's could have submitted ideas for a couple of weeks imagine what they might have ended up with.
I realize that it does not protect against the accidental opening of the handle during flight but this seem like it would fix most of the accidental openings.

Thanks for posting.
I would probably purchase a set as well.

[RudiGreyling]

Originally Posted by Geico266

I got a quote of $300 for the set.

$300

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by RudiGreyling

$300

X2!!!!!!!!

[Deems Davis]

Originally Posted by RudiGreyling

$300

Come on guys --- Your building an airplane (aren't you?) Looks easy enough to fabricate

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by RudiGreyling

$300

Originally Posted by Mike S

X2!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Deems Davis

Come on guys --- Your building an airplane (aren't you?) Looks easy enough to fabricate

I would think it could be done. I like Rudi's idea of having the latch on top of the rail rather than on the side. I like the idea of a 1" square on the end to lock it in. Would 1/8" X 1" aluminum be strong enough for the "strap"?

[RudiGreyling]

Originally Posted by Deems Davis

Come on guys --- Your building an airplane (aren't you?) Looks easy enough to fabricate

Sorry but at that price lots of guys will be rolling their own...If it was cheaper I think it would have been an easy sell, but at $300 makes one think twice.

Roger Geico 266!

[N427EF]

I cannot latch on to your idea Vern.

Pros:
Your solution is elegant, strong, easy to retrofit and all the good things that were said about it.

Cons:
The mechanism is too far forward.
Your lock is not a passive latch that will hold the door shut if you forget to lock it properly.

[orchidman]

Originally Posted by N427EF

I cannot latch on to your idea Vern.
Cons:
The mechanism is too far forward.
Your lock is not a passive latch that will hold the door shut if you forget to lock it properly.

I am having a problem resolving if the latch WILL hold the door shut if you forget to lock it properly if you take off in that state. If it doesn't, what is its value other then a CYA for Vans? I all ready have the lights.

[Ron B.]

Ernest
I was like you thinking it was too far forward, until I realized that it's not the back that is the problem. Picture an automobile's door openining at 100 MPH. the hinges are forward and not much will happen. The problem with Van's door is that the back might not be latched and with just a forward pin the door springs back then flyes away. If that forward pin was, lets say threaded in (for argument sake) I doubt the upward forces would be enough to break the forward pin.
If Vern's latch can accomplish this tack then it the best solution I've seen.