The Owner-Builder of a Velocity SE-RG experimental aircraft and also the holder of a Repairman's Certificate; reports of his pilot's side; gull-wing type door; departing the aircraft at 200 MPH.

Narrative

The pilot-side door of the aircraft came unlatched in flight for unknown reasons. As a result of the design of the aircraft; and the gull-wing doors; this resulted in the door departing the aircraft. The aircraft remained completely controllable; and I continued flight to a nearby airport to make further evaluation. I was flying over uninhabited desert at the time. I was on VFR flight following by Center; and reported to the Controller what had happened; and that I was diverting to land. Controller called back twice to verify my intentions; then a couple of minutes later called with a phone number; and a request that we call to report being safely on the ground. He did not provide an area code with the number. As I approached the airport it was apparent there were no facilities of any kind; and the runway was marginal for the aircraft. I chose to continue flight to another airport; about 20 miles away. I attempted to contact the Controller with that intention; but got no reply; apparently because of my low altitude at the time. I proceeded to the second airport and made a normal landing. I noted that the only damage to the aircraft was the lost door and broken rear plexiglas window. Without an area code; it took a series of phone calls to get a correct number for the Center operations staff. I reported where we were; and that there was no further damage to the aircraft; and no injuries. As builder of the aircraft; and holder of the Repairman's Certificate; it was my responsibility to insure its airworthiness. The following day; I fabricated a temporary door; with a plexiglas window for good visibility; and returned the next day for installation. I made a test flight over the airport; and subsequently flew the plane safely back to my home airport.