Step for Cabin Entry

[corefile]

So I finally got to see a Bearhawk in person, what a great looking plane! Thanks Wayne!

I one thing I left thinking about on my 3 hour flight home, was getting in and out, especially if you raise the bottom door frame up 2 inches for the other door style. Its a bit of a leg stretch, and I'm 6 foot. I noticed many are not installing steps, I still have scars on my legs from the Citabria foott step that I used to fly. I was thinking of some some type of step that can be slid in and out of the gear so it not a sticking all the time. Something simple, tube welded to the back side with a steel rod that slides in and out, with a notch that you twist to lock into place it so if you forget to slide it back in it won't be moving around, same when you slide it back in, notched so with a twist it locks into place. Anyone already do something like that? Idea's?

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Have you seen the step on the QB kit legs?

http://bearhawkaircraft.com/estore/pics/Plan23.jpg

It's pretty beefy, has a lip so your foot doesn't slip off, and seems to be where you described it.

As for the seaplane doors, I think I'm going to go for a two-piece flip down/up setup, similar to the way the Cub does it. That way I don't have the extra 2" step-over.

~Chris

[Battson]

How is the fold-down half going to work - there's a wing strut in the way?

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Good question. I haven't thought that far ahead yet :-) That's just the vision I have. I haven't looked closely at the geometry yet.

[Battson]

The step on the QB leg is ideal. I would NOT be without it.

It's almost perfectly placed, my only improvement would be having it further aft so passengers don't scrape their big heavy hiking boots over my wing struts every time.

Getting in and out is an exercise you get better at with practice, like shooting a bow or riding a bike. I find I need to step up high, and almost sit on the seatback as I fold my legs in. It's better than a super cub for sure, but it isn't a Cessna. The placement of the wing strut has a lot to answer for!

[corefile]

Do you find that the step becomes a knee or shin knocker? With it on the gear maybe its out of the way, the Citabria I used to fly has it attached to the bottom of the frame about center of the door (I think I saw of picture Pat Fagan's bearhawk with a step mounted in the same position as a Citabria), and I would invariably slam into to it while loading things. That is what got me thinking of trying to come up with something that could be slid in or out or folded out of the way... probably over thinking it. Maybe with it mounted on the gear its not in the way?

[Battson]

I have never hit myself on the step. Never seen a passenger do it either.

Never really thought about it, but I guess it's just out of the way?

[Wayne Massey]

Here's what I did:

http://mykitlog.com/users/display_log.php?user=wlmassey&project=221&category=0&log=177609&row=9

[Gavin Chester]

I made one Super Cub Style. Worked good for cleaning window and skylight. There is a cross channel the same as the top and the step is held on with the 4 screws and nut plates you see in the picture