Piper J3
Well Known Member
The weather is getting cold and I decided to tackle the problem of cold air passing forward from the baggage compartment.
The solution consists of one piece of sheet aluminum, two pieces of cardboard, and three pieces of foam. The RV-12 seat backs are aluminum frames with 1” angle sides that contain the upright upholstered cushions.
I made an aluminum sheet 18”H with 1” flanged sides to block the air between the two seat backs. The 1” flanges tuck between the seat frame and the seat cushion. The piece of aluminum is tapered something like 3” wide at the top and 5-1/2” at the bottom. The two side baffles are similarly 18"H with 1” flange but made from cardboard. The outer cardboard edge is taped to the roll bar with blue painters tape.
All three baffles use foam on the bottom to seal against uneven bottom seat cushion and yet not impinge on the seat belt anchors or the central flap handle. The baffles at made from 3” foam and each is 6” high. You will have to custom measure/trial for width.
So how does it work? Today I flew with 35F OAT and the only air movement I noticed was from over the top of the seat backs and even that amount of air was slight. I would say it works very well.
Below is a poor sketch. I will take a few photos next time I fly.
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The solution consists of one piece of sheet aluminum, two pieces of cardboard, and three pieces of foam. The RV-12 seat backs are aluminum frames with 1” angle sides that contain the upright upholstered cushions.
I made an aluminum sheet 18”H with 1” flanged sides to block the air between the two seat backs. The 1” flanges tuck between the seat frame and the seat cushion. The piece of aluminum is tapered something like 3” wide at the top and 5-1/2” at the bottom. The two side baffles are similarly 18"H with 1” flange but made from cardboard. The outer cardboard edge is taped to the roll bar with blue painters tape.
All three baffles use foam on the bottom to seal against uneven bottom seat cushion and yet not impinge on the seat belt anchors or the central flap handle. The baffles at made from 3” foam and each is 6” high. You will have to custom measure/trial for width.
So how does it work? Today I flew with 35F OAT and the only air movement I noticed was from over the top of the seat backs and even that amount of air was slight. I would say it works very well.
Below is a poor sketch. I will take a few photos next time I fly.
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