Oil door in cowl bowing in flight

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by CharlieWaffles

Is the bowing along one of the edges or truly in the center of the door? I have a very stiff door, but I experience a slight bowing at the rear corner on the same side as my latch. Since my latch is in the center of the door edge, the aft end is bowing on my due to the high pressure in the upper cowl. If I had it to do again, I would have installed two latches, each near the corner to mitigate this issue.

That is why the kit specifys a cam lock in each corner.

[rleffler]

What I've seen in a couple RV-10s that installed the hidden hinge, is that the air pressure on the door will cause the hinge side to come up about 1/16" - 1/8" in flight. due to play in the hinge.

Unfortunately, I learned the hard way. My first door came of on an approach in IMC.

My second door has much more secure Hartwell latches on the forward and aft side of the door. I just used the plans foam as a stiffner. I made some minor adjustments to the hinge. The door is rock solid and doesn't move anymore.

[Janekom]

I agree with Scott if you like the two camlocks. Then the supplied piece of foam glassed over works well, but it is hard to get a good looking oil door.
What worked the best for me was to glue/attach a piece of 032 alclad to the bottom with prc. I have used the hidden hinge that was sold by Avery. Then used two latches. Latches and hidden hinge riveted through the door and alclad. Minimum effort, no bulging and nice finish.