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Double Floors & Dirt

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Kyle Boatright

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The RV-10 has closed areas underfoot. Well, they aren't really closed. There are gaps in the panels large enough to allow dirt/sand/grass/cut off ends of zip ties to drop into the inaccessible voids.

I've taped off these gaps, but that's unsightly. Is anyone else addressing the issue (and how), or are most RV-10's gonna collect dirt in the bilge, as it were?
 
Are the floors in a -10 not removeable? The -4 I'm working on accumulated a lot down there (including oil from not having a separator) in it's 250hrs of flying. I spent a lot of time cleaning that goo and sludge out.
 
Jjackh10 said:
Are the floors in a -10 not removeable? The -4 I'm working on accumulated a lot down there (including oil from not having a separator) in it's 250hrs of flying. I spent a lot of time cleaning that goo and sludge out.
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The floors/footwells (and to some extent the baggage compartment) have riveted in floors with a gap between the floor and the belly. It creates a space where stuff can accumulate over the years with little ability to remove it.
 
Kyle Boatright said:
The floors/footwells (and to some extent the baggage compartment) have riveted in floors with a gap between the floor and the belly. It creates a space where stuff can accumulate over the years with little ability to remove it.
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I see, that sucks. Maybe a few 3/4" holes strategically drilled then plugged with automotive style plastic plugs? That would let you duct tape a small hose to a vacuum to wiggle around in there?

Sorry I'm no real help buddy.
 
I had the same thought as I was closing out that section of floor. Of course worse yet, there are quite a few fully closed bays there.

Carpet was going to be my first line of defense. You mentioned tape being unsightly which makes me wonder if you don't have carpet in your plane?
 
chris1seto said:
I had the same thought as I was closing out that section of floor. Of course worse yet, there are quite a few fully closed bays there.

Carpet was going to be my first line of defense. You mentioned tape being unsightly which makes me wonder if you don't have carpet in your plane?
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Chris, I don't have carpet, but dirt works its way around carpet anyway, so its not a perfect line of defense.
 
3stepdrop said:
Maybe cut some access panels?
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The front floors already have an access panel for the engine mount and also have lightening holes in them. You can get to the rear of the opening from under the front seats. You could potentially flush them out with a hose (or compressed air) and vacuum but it would not be fun.

The rear seat floors have ribs 3 3/8" apart and are only about 1" tall with no holes in them. By the time you make doublers you might be able to get a small vacuum hose in there.

That said, carpet is probably your best line of defense against dirt and spills since it'll soak up liquids and filter solids and a convenient way to clean.
 
Why not use nutplates to make the floors removeable? I did that when I made double floors for my -7. Works well. That will also allow some nice area for wire runs, pitot lines, etc. Remove floors larter for inspection.
 
I went with carpet on the floors. It tends to capture a lot of the fine stuff and with regular vacuuming it will stay fairly clean. Remove the carpet and vacuum what is caught underneath. Wear flat soled shoes that don’t pick up grit.

BTW…putting nut plates sounds like a great idea but I don’t think it’s too practical in the 10. Putting them in once or twice during the build was enough grief.
 
Weefle said:
BTW…putting nut plates sounds like a great idea but I don’t think it’s too practical in the 10. Putting them in once or twice during the build was enough grief.
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Yep. Those floors are/were a horribly tight fit. I didn't like fitting them. I didn't like removing them to prime, and I didn't like refitting them for riveting. I thought I was gonna destroy something every time.
 
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