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  #1  
Old 08-18-2012, 07:57 PM
Echo Tango Echo Tango is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO Approach
Posts: 204
Default Anyone ever put a baggage door on a -7?

How plausible is this? I realize you can throw stuff behind the seats with the canopy open, but it would be nice to load from the side, too. Just something I've been thinking about. Finishing up my Emp. kit.
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  #2  
Old 08-18-2012, 08:23 PM
gasman gasman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
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Contact this guy......... http://www.vansairforce.com/community/member.php?u=8644

He did it on a 6 and it worked great.
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  #3  
Old 08-18-2012, 08:28 PM
lorne green lorne green is offline
 
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Location: Oliver, B.C. Canada (Okanagan valley)
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The inside lower portion of the baggage area is double walled, plus the rudder cable is in the way. So above there is a very small area about 8" x 8",
then there is a reinforced vertical stretcher, then another 8" x 11" area is available, just below the longeron. Pretty small openings thouogh.
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RV 7a tip-up
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Last edited by lorne green : 08-19-2012 at 10:43 AM.
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  #4  
Old 08-18-2012, 08:40 PM
Echo Tango Echo Tango is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO Approach
Posts: 204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lorne green View Post
The inside lower portion of the baggage area is double walled, plus the rudder cable is in the way. So a very small door about 8" x 8"
then there is a reinforced vertical stretcher, then another 8" x 11" opening is available, just above the longeron. Pretty small openings thouogh.
hmmm... might not be worth the effort. i'll have to look at the preview plans. im guessing with some engineering (not by me) a longeron could be moved/bridged somehow. i'll get back to this in 5 or so years when i'm finishing up my fuselage, i guess
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  #5  
Old 08-18-2012, 11:43 PM
PCHunt PCHunt is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,670
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Tip-up, or slider? If slider then there are two kits available that allow the slider to tip forward after opening. Makes it very easy to access the baggage compartment.

I installed the Meske kit, and am very happy with it. Two different kits are sold by a VAF advertiser:

http://www.aircraftextras.com/Tip-Up-Slider1.htm



Quote:
Originally Posted by Echo Tango View Post
How plausible is this? I realize you can throw stuff behind the seats with the canopy open, but it would be nice to load from the side, too. Just something I've been thinking about. Finishing up my Emp. kit.
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Last edited by PCHunt : 08-18-2012 at 11:48 PM.
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  #6  
Old 08-19-2012, 06:51 AM
sailvi767 sailvi767 is online now
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 1,167
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I would keep in mind that it is a monocoque structure so the shell is important in overall strength. If you do put in a door I would make sure you have it fully engineered and keep all the paperwork mainly for resale. Its going to through up flags in a pre buy.

George
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  #7  
Old 08-19-2012, 09:07 AM
Echo Tango Echo Tango is offline
 
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Location: SFO Approach
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sailvi767 View Post
I would keep in mind that it is a monocoque structure so the shell is important in overall strength. If you do put in a door I would make sure you have it fully engineered and keep all the paperwork mainly for resale. Its going to through up flags in a pre buy.

George
correct. but they make windows work in airliners. so i think it would probably just end up being some doubling here and there. dunno, i'll have to message the other VAFer who did it. when i order my fuse
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  #8  
Old 08-19-2012, 09:37 AM
mikerkba mikerkba is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ely, Nevada
Posts: 223
Default My baggage door

With the help of Bobbi Boucher, the IA that supervised my build, I put a baggage door on my 7A. A wood mold was made for the fiberglass portion, and the resulting mold conforms to the inside of the skin. One compression strut turned out to be sufficient to hold the door open. Rather than hinge on the centerline with a piano hinge as some have done, you can see (video below) the "C" shaped hinge brackets that we used. We angle cut the rear plexiglass and got a good edge to edge fit. The door latches with a bullet latch from a Lancair baggage door kit, with a push button release in the rear section of the pilots armrest. It can be reached when standing on the ground behind the wing. After some months of flying, I added a switch "opened" when the baggage door is closed and utilize the AFS EFIS warning light to show "BAGGAGE" on screen if the door is not closed at any time.

Old youtube video here, for an idea:
http://youtu.be/pmkfIffhrto

The door earned its keep during the construction process alone, and continues to be very convenient. The video shows the imperfect alignment, in that the door bumps the surrounding (reinforced by doubler) fixed door frame, but normal attention to closing keeps things in order.

This design is one of several that might work for you. Whichever you choose, I highly recommend a baggage door. The IA made several of the fiberglass frames and, if you liked this layout, could make one for you, I think. Email (not pm, please) me for her contact info.
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BUILDER: N92MB RV7A (A/W 3/2009) - Sold
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KELY/Ely, NV
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  #9  
Old 08-19-2012, 10:02 AM
instructor_bill instructor_bill is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Petaluma, CA
Posts: 233
Default That has got to be the coolest mod I've seen yet

I wish though that I had seen this about a year and a half ago.

Too late for me now.

Maybe the next time.
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RV7 SB in construction
Avionics, Wiring, FWF, interior, and paint to go.
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  #10  
Old 08-19-2012, 10:24 AM
gasman gasman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
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You did a good job on that door. Why didn't you use a smaller strut mounted to the roll bar?

I see this as a valuable alteration.

I might keep a pie shaped piece of skin/brace in the lower right corner from the bulkhead to the longeron. It would not take from the usefulness of the door, but would support that area.
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