Everyone,

This posting is for the archive. I had a problem where the splines on the door handle shaft were chewing up the pot metal handle mating splines so often that I wanted a permanent solution. I elected not to make my own mechanism in order to retain the 'certified' aircraft equipment. I went with Jim Gillen's STCed door handle and shaft. It is a solid product that should give MANY years of trouble free service. It also does not require the use of the typical clip to hold the handle on the shaft and is much easier to remove/install.

The only issue is the engraved marking indicating the proper direction to open the door is opposite to a Comanche [counter clockwise (forward) versus clockwise (aft)]. This is solved via a covering plaque.

The contact information is:
www.gillen-phx.com
2509 W. Pampa
Mesa AZ 85202
contact ph#: 480 550-2920
email: n-phx@cox.net

Regards,
Pat Donovan

Pat thanks for posting this - very helpful. I just checked the website and they look very well made - nice craftsmanship. I do have to say however that I am shocked by the placard and the "open" arrow being exactly opposite what is correct. I can't see how they obtained in STC for Comanche aircraft that way. Placards are a big deal to the FAA. I had a factory new Cirrus fail Part 135 Conformity because a placard was 5" off where it was supposed to be per the AFM and that was not even a safety sensitive item like knowing which way to move the handle to open the door in an emergency.

- Charles

Attached is a picture of the installed handle in the locked position. The splines obviously allow the handle to be positioned in any orientation.

Pat

Sure... But regardless of the handle position on the spline the open arrow will always point in the wrong direction. The handle movement is clockwise to open and counter-clockwise to close. The "open" arrow points counter-clockwise which is actually the direction to close. Changing the position on the spline won't change that. Nevertheless, it's a very nicely built handle. I'm just surprised it could be STCed with the open placard that way. The FAA often gets hung up on placards.

- Charles

You are correct Charles. I had not put the covering and correcting label in place yet.

Pat

Ahhhh perfect. That would make sense and make it right.

Pat, out of curiosity how does that handle feel in your hand. It looks like it might have sharp edges... is it comfortable to use as well as looking good? It looks really nice!

- Charles