AAflyer
Well Known Member
My first attempt at bolting the plastic canopy pin block was a complete failure. The instructions basically say: close the canopy, and drill 2 holes through the rear seatback bulkhead and the block. Unfortunately, while the block sits flush against the aft side of the bulkhead with the canopy open, I didn't realize that when the pin is engaged and pushing forward on the block, the angle of the pin tilts the block so that it is no longer sits flush on the bulkhead. I discovered this as I was working on drilling out the aft side of the block to accept the nuts; which are supposed to be "pressed in" to the block. The holes that I had drilled while sitting inside the cockpit, were not perpendicular to the face of the block. Additionally, my skill level and tool set are not complete enough to drill this borings so that they are precisely concentrical to the existing screw holes.
Soooo…my question is…has anyone replaced this complex attachment procedure by simply tapping the block and driving in two screws without the counter-bored/pressed-in nuts? The block's material reminds me of the stuff inside locknuts, and when I screwed in an AN-509 screw to test my theory, it seemed plenty secure.
I'm trying to visualize the forces that this block will be subjected to. Mostly, UP, I think.
So if I can position the block tight inside the bulklhead's flange, it seems that the aluminum structure would be carrying this load, and the screws' job is to merely hold it in position.
Thoughts? Advice? Admonitions?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Soooo…my question is…has anyone replaced this complex attachment procedure by simply tapping the block and driving in two screws without the counter-bored/pressed-in nuts? The block's material reminds me of the stuff inside locknuts, and when I screwed in an AN-509 screw to test my theory, it seemed plenty secure.
I'm trying to visualize the forces that this block will be subjected to. Mostly, UP, I think.
So if I can position the block tight inside the bulklhead's flange, it seems that the aluminum structure would be carrying this load, and the screws' job is to merely hold it in position.
Thoughts? Advice? Admonitions?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.