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  #21  
Old 02-23-2010, 06:38 PM
Cfrisella's Avatar
Cfrisella Cfrisella is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sun city, Ca.
Posts: 255
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The windshield is screwed/nuts to the frame. The the frame will be screwed to the forward deck with nut plates. When I get to finish the forward skin I'll build it up flush to the frame. I just had a difficult time seeing the windshield and frame glassed down.
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  #22  
Old 02-23-2010, 08:20 PM
DENMACRES DENMACRES is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MONTGOMERY, TX.
Posts: 89
Default INSP. PANEL

RV-6, N16DD, IO-360. INSTALLED A PANEL THAT COVERS THE TOP THREE RIBS WITH 1.5" SPACING. I KNOW A LOT OF SCREWS. THE ACCESS HAS BEEN VERY USEFUL.WE FLY IF HARD NO PROBLEMS. WRENCH
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  #23  
Old 02-23-2010, 09:23 PM
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Cfrisella Cfrisella is offline
 
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Location: Sun city, Ca.
Posts: 255
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I'm really happy to hear that. Are then any pictures by chance?
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  #24  
Old 02-23-2010, 10:56 PM
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L.Adamson L.Adamson is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: KSLC
Posts: 4,021
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I'm just not a fan of cutting these access holes in what amounts to being an aircraft section that should stay as rigid & supporting as possible. After all, there is 350 to 400 lbs of weight hanging out there, and a lot of gyroscopic forces to go with it. This section is somewhat of a structural backbone to the forward fuse.

I'd prefer to build a panel that's in three removable sections & mounted to a skeleton frame. That's what I did. In the meantime, to access underneath, I just pull out the right side joystick, and place a few pillows underneath & over the seating area. At 6'1", it's actually quite comfy down there, and I could even go to sleep. Just have good lighting an I-pod and cell phone.
I have two handles welded to the roll bar to easily pull myself out.

Since the first flight, I've redone the radio stack by installing two different radios, as well as a audio panel. Pre-wired it all at home, and took the setup to the airport. Wasn't all that tough, since it was all wired including new headphone jacks.

At least I don't have to worry about any rain water, or paint chips when removing screws and panels.

L.Adamson --- RV6A
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  #25  
Old 02-24-2010, 06:35 PM
John Tierney John Tierney is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Vonore, TN
Posts: 369
Default Tomahawk Side Access NACA Vent

The pictures below are of a Piper Tomahawk with the NACA scoop built into a nice rectangular access panel right behind the instrument panel. I thought that was a neat idea, but I'm not brave enough to cut up my side skins.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]
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Vonore, TN
RV-7A - N777JT Flying
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  #26  
Old 02-24-2010, 11:46 PM
ao.frog ao.frog is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manstad, Norway
Posts: 866
Default thanks

Hi again.

Thanks for the input folks. (and sorry that some did hijack attemps... )

My initial thought with the line going through the two rivetholes, was that a screw in these two holes would hold both the panel and the skin level to eachother.
The more I look at them, the less I like them, so I have decided to move the cutting line for the panel to the middle beetween two rivetholes.

Thanks also for the tip about making the panel and it's parts stronger than the surrounding skin. That's what I'll do too.

Before I make any final decitions and cutting, I'll take one last time to think all this through.
As part of it, I've made a poll regarding the access panels in a separate tread. It's nice to get a percentage reply too...

The poll is here: http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=54769
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Regards Alf Olav Frog / Norway
First RV-7 completed, (bought partly finished from a US-builder) 305 hrs per July 2014, SOLD
Second -7 had first flight Feb 25th 2014. 220 hrs pr July 2019. Life is good!

Last edited by ao.frog : 02-26-2010 at 03:38 AM.
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  #27  
Old 02-26-2010, 03:35 AM
ao.frog ao.frog is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manstad, Norway
Posts: 866
Default Answer from Vans.

Hi again.

I asked Gus at Vans what he thought about my plans for the access-panel, and here's his answer: (he has given me permission to post it here)
Therefore, I think I'll move the cutting line to the middle of two rivets, make the reinforcement stronger than the surrounding skin and go ahead and make that panel.


On Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:17:53 -0800
> "Gus Funnell" wrote:
> > We don't recommend cutting access panels in the top
> >skin, as it is a
> > structural part. That said, it has been done without
> >apparent problems
> > provided sufficient reinforcement around the holes is
> >used. It's maybe not so
> > useful on a tip up as a slider where the access is
> >worse. If you do one large
> >panel like you show, it would be good to tie the
> >reinforcing ring to the center
> > rib. I think you'd have to use some sealant on it to
> >prevent leaks.
> >
> > Gus
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Regards Alf Olav Frog / Norway
First RV-7 completed, (bought partly finished from a US-builder) 305 hrs per July 2014, SOLD
Second -7 had first flight Feb 25th 2014. 220 hrs pr July 2019. Life is good!
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  #28  
Old 02-26-2010, 08:47 AM
DGlaeser DGlaeser is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Rochester Hills, MI
Posts: 879
Default Fwd Panel Cutouts

I put in 2 cutouts and consider them invaluable. The backup rings are a bit thicker than the panel itself, so with that and corner radii the same as the wing access panels (I don't remember dimensions off hand), that area is actually structurally stronger than the original panel. I did a form-in-place seal with proseal and strips of fishing line to assure a min thicknkess of the sealant.
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Rochester Hills, MI
RV-7A - Eggenfellner H6, GRT Sport ES, EIS4000, 300XL, SL30, TT Gemini, PMA6000, AK950L, GT320,
uAvionixEcho ADSB in/out with GRT Safe Fly GPS
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  #29  
Old 03-24-2010, 03:49 PM
ao.frog ao.frog is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manstad, Norway
Posts: 866
Default done deal....

Hi again.

We're done with the access panel now, except for the proseal-fitting and here's the result:






The nutplates are for #6 screws.
The ring underneath is made from .40 material. The panel itself is made from .32 material.

I don't think we'll make additional access-panel on the sides, as it probably will be possible to some degree to work "sideways" from the center.
Besides, we're planning to wire and connect the different stuff underneath the panel for easier access.
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Regards Alf Olav Frog / Norway
First RV-7 completed, (bought partly finished from a US-builder) 305 hrs per July 2014, SOLD
Second -7 had first flight Feb 25th 2014. 220 hrs pr July 2019. Life is good!

Last edited by ao.frog : 03-24-2010 at 03:51 PM.
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