ARC Inboard MLG Door Removal STC

[Tim Glubaskas]

Hello All -

We have decided to try an Aircraft Restoration Corporation STC
Inboard Main Landing Gear Door Removal and Outboard Door Doubler Repair

This kit removes the inner gear doors, switches, hydraulic actuator and lines and replaces them with a fairing. Depending on your inner gear door hinge type, it also does away with the recurring AD inspection on these since they are removed.

Upon installation, the landing gear extension (Vle) and operating speed (Vlo) is increased to 153 KIAS (176 MPH).
Depending on your maintenance program, it also has provisions to extend the landing gear retraction interval from 100 hours to 200 hours.

We have tried a different STC in the past that just removed the gear doors, etc (without the fairing) and we had a lot of complaints from passengers/pilots etc since it was fairly noisy. Seems this STC may have solved that problem.

Anyone else do this modification? Comment?

We will post pics as the work progresses - hope to do it all this week
(Their Website - http://www.arcmods.com)

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[Tim Glubaskas]

Pic from them of what it looks like - we will post better this week

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[Tim Glubaskas]

Kit Contents -

A Lot more than I expected - Well packaged and came within 2-3 days of order

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[Tim Glubaskas]

Plane is done and has been flown on a test flight -

Pilots noticed no difference while flying and there was no additional noise created by the Mod - seems to be a winner

We have 3 PA31-350s with the lower gear down speeds (130ish) and we are now looking to convert them also

Pics to follow - all in all a good modification in our opinion

[tinstaafl]

How much was the kit, and what labour time to install? I'm involved with the management & flying a '74 -350 so this might be handy alternative if we have a fault on the MLG doors. The increased gear speed would be welcome too!

[Tim Glubaskas]

The gear door kit STC cost us $3500 the last time we purchased

We have completed 4 now - the 'slow' ones - so now all 15 of ours have the same speeds

We have nothing but good things to say about the kit and hope to begin retrofitting more aircraft in the future


Our planes have both the Superchief I and II kits installed - so the gear leg extension is a bit different then what the kit was designed for
We had a bit of modification to do with the help of the STC holder but wasn't a big deal in the end

All in all - about 32-40 hours of labor - probably shorter if Superchief mods are not installed

Pics attached show the new gear fairing for the inner bay and attached to the outer gear door

[tinstaafl]

Thanks for the information. I hadn't heard of this STC before. One of the PA31s I'm involved with is a '74 model with the low gear speed - and a right pain in the bum it is too. Without wishing ill on the lane or it's owners, it would be nice to find a reason justify the gear door kit.

[scott]

Tim,

Have you noticed if this effects your cruise speed much?

Scott

[dctesh1953]

I recently just had this STC installed. It is truly one of the best mods out there.  With the Colemill conversion it has always been difficult to get my speed down to the 150 mph needed to lower the gear. Now, with the mod, it is 176 mph. It allows me to keep my speed up while not compromising safety in getting the gear down.

My shop Superior Aero Services in Lexington, NC performed the install and did a great job and it was very reasonable.

ClarkAdd
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[Tim Glubaskas]

Glad you like it also - we have put 15 on now and about to do the 16th.

Wouldn't have it any other way.