8kcab Camera Window/door

J

John Kempton

New member
I have an 8KCAB, which has a curved/convex perspex section on the left window. If I open this to take photos, it won't sit up against the wing like a Cessna; it has only a small contact patch perspex to lower wing. Even at about 75knots/85mph, the window vibrates quite a bit against the lower wing, which I feel can't be good. Back seater reports lots of wind.
I would like to do regular photography. Does anyone know:
1. Is the curved window perspex standard?
2. Is it possible to buy a 'flat' perspex window pane?
3. Will the split door from the Scout fit a Decathlon, and fix my problem?
4. Does a forward mounted deflector, as found on some parachuting 182/206s work/help re turbulence for window or door?
5. Anybody cut a hole in a rear window, and added a sliding/folding mini-window, to give camera access from rear seat?
6. Anybody used a camera mount attached to the plane to overcome hand holding the camera? Vibration/sighting problems?

Any comments appreciated.
 
1) Yes, 100%
2) No, but it could be made
3) Yes (but no wing support) and No
4) Never seen one, but I suppose it would. Careful not to mess with wing air flow
5) Never heard of it myself
6) I don't know. You could use any of the steel tube frame, but would likely need some sort of dampning for vibration.

Technically, a full openning window is not approved on the 8KCAB. Basically the airplane was too fast to limit it to 90 mph. To go with this, the wing does not have the bracketry to support the clip for a full openning window. Also, the split photo door is technically not approved for the 8KCAB as well. (I sound like a 'no' man)

Anyway, Just keep in mind those windows are not designed to be open without support besides the hinge itself. Also, part of the speed restriction is that a slip or gust can blow the rear windows out of their retainers.

Sorry I dont have a great answer for you. I might suggest just removing the door for those photo shoots and putting it back on for the rest. There is an STC for removing the door, but its only for the model 7's. Same rules would apply though.
 
John-

While not FAA approved the solution is to install an "Eye Strap/Pad" on the window frame next to the current hold-open bar attach point by drilling thru and using screws and structural washers to spread the load. Then using bungee cord looped around the tubing just forward of the throttle that terminates in a snap hook that can then be clipped to the Eye Strap, the airflow will cause the window to stay open in cruise, the bungee cord will provide the same support as the standard bar but it will not rattle, as the standard window often does, because it is always lightly loaded by the airflow and bungee. I have a bungee in place for normal ops and a clip on extension for photo ops when I limit speed to 90 MPH.

I have a factory photo window with the 90 MPH limitation (in practice more like 80 MPH), with this arrangement I can also provide the window the same support as the standard 120 MPH window, and have both options. In a LH slip when loss of the rear windows is a concern it closes naturally.

As a word of CAUTION the Pop rivets that attach the hinges to the frame MUST be inspected regularly, they rarely form a true bucktail and only hold due to expansion in the window frame holes so are susceptible to loosening and subsequent loss of the window and aircraft damage.

Again, this is NOT an approved mod, send an e-mail and I'll foreward photos/info.

Tom-
 
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