Oil Hatch bulging in flight

[Berchmans]

I made the first flight of my RV-8 the other day and noted that the hinge side of the oil door bulges out slightly due to air pressure. I have used the hidden hinge and the standard vans latch fittings without the wing nut ears. Is there a good way to stiffen the door? I have thought about adding a small piece of channel to the underside of the door or possibly installing a couple more of the push and turn fasteners at the hinge corners.

[flyinga]

I elected to live with it.

[akarmy]

Originally Posted by Berchmans

Is there a good way to stiffen the door? I have thought about adding a small piece of channel to the underside of the door or possibly installing a couple more of the push and turn fasteners at the hinge corners.

Here's how I did mine. Seemed to keep the shape in line just fine.

[jpharrell]

Another approach is fiberglass over foam core. Not flying yet but seems very stiff.

[Bob Ellis]

I think we're all saying the same thing - it needs beefing up - I wonder if this might not be best made out of stiff aluminium sheet?

[Ron B.]

I replaced mine with .050 alum.. Never bulged or popped open since. It was time consuming getting the compound curve correct.

[Bavafa]

I have a hidden latch which is based on a simple piece of hinge (left over from seat rail) and operated by a pull/push piece of wire from the air inlet. It keeps it from going anywhere and a cleaner look (my opinion)

[bruceh]

I carefully cut out the oil door recess and saved the piece of pink fiberglass. I bonded it with epoxy under the oil door and it is very stiff now.

[chrispratt]

What Bruce said. It may be too late now, but for anyone still building, use the piece of fiberglass you cut out from the cowl and then fiberglass that to the underside of the door. Works great as a stiffener.

Chris

[tkatc]

Part numbers for hidden hinge and latch mechanism?