Sent this to Vans today.
Not sure who to send this to at Vans so I thought I?d give support a shot. Please forward it along if need be.
Is there any chance of Vans beefing up the current step design or offering a heavy duty version. Seldom ever used and never abused (babied in fact), my passenger side step cracked at about 200 hours. This compression crack on the underside seems to be the norm on most passenger and some pilot side steps. (There have been quite a few threads on Vans Airforce over the years)
I realize that no matter what you make, someone will find a way to abuse or break it. I just think in this case a little heavier duty design is warranted. I?m sure most of us would be more than willing to pay a little more and sacrifice a little weight. I heard that the Van?s demo planes have beefed up steps. If true, maybe this could be offered on all of them.
Thank you,
Jeff Bloomquist
RV-7A
My right side step looks exactly like that at this time. I wouldn't call it a "passenger side" as that is the side I fly from full time . I'm getting ready to remove mine for remediation of some sort as I'm pleased that it is still attached after our recent trip. Heck, maybe I'll just convert the whole thing to a tail dragger and be done with it .