As I have lost an RV-10 door due to a C130 prop blast, I'm sensitive to the issue. This is what I told the guy who bought my RV-10:
N7ZK’s doors have primary and backup locking devices, and the SkyView alarms if all four primary locking pins are not in place. The doors will last a lifetime if you don’t violate the rules:
1. Doors shut and locked before engine start.
2. Assume your passenger did not lock his/her door – verify before engine start.
3. After engine start verify all four door pins in by observing the Green door indication on the SkyView EMS display.
4. Doors shut and locked anytime the engine is running – no matter how tempting to do the hot passenger pickup/drop off.
5. If parked anywhere but in a hangar, doors shut and locked unless you are standing next to the door. So for all fueling, moving to park, etc. doors shut and locked. In other words, unless you are getting in or out of the plane, doors shut and locked.
Carl
That is a good list for the door Carl. I follow the same rules. My first "almost lost the door" moment was an Apache or Blackhawk taxiing by my plane at Conroe just after I opened the door and got out. I never walk away without doors closed, chalked and rudder lock in.
This is such a sad and avoidable accident. In Phase 1 there are so many things to think about and new procedures to process. It is easy to see how things get overlooked.
-Make sure door lights/sensors are installed on your planes. Maybe we need a screaming buzzer that goes off if doors are open and engine is above 1800 RPM.
-Have your checklist with you at all times. I have never taken off without going through my list. I always close the doors and check.
-Practice, practice, practice. What if...engine quits, bird strike, door comes off, window blows out, electrical fire/failure, tire blows, passenger throws up, alternator fails......
-Before first flight, pay the money for RV-10 transition training even if you have RV time. I flew with Mike Seager for 4 hours and learned so much I went back a second time before my first flight. I did my first flight knowing with a high level of confidence I could land the plane on a 4000 ft runway from pattern altitude with no power.
Phase 1 is scary and dangerous without proper training, practice, thoughtful procedures and help from experienced people. It should be almost routine with them but should still be scary to keep us ready if something goes wrong, but should never be dangerous.
I am always available to help if you have any concerns as many of us on this forum are. Please call (801-718-1277) or come fly with me in my plane if you have any reason to think you need some help. I am not a CFI, or an expert test pilot but I have 1250 hours in the RV-10 and have learned a lot along the way. Still learning every day......The best thing to do is to fly with a transition trainer like Alex and Mike (I am sure there are others), they will increase your skill at the fastest rate.
The goal is 0 fatalities.