RV-8 instrument access

I'm trying to get some feed back from people who have modified the back of instrument panel with a hinged door. Was it worth the effort? Do you find it use full? Did you worry about structural integrity? Would you do it again?

And for people who didn't do it, do you wish you had or is it a non issue?

Thanks for your input.

billdianne said:

I'm trying to get some feed back from people who have modified the back of instrument panel with a hinged door. Was it worth the effort? Do you find it use full? Did you worry about structural integrity? Would you do it again?

And for people who didn't do it, do you wish you had or is it a non issue?

Thanks for your input.

Click to expand...

Bill,

I can only speak as one who didn't do the access panel, and I guess that I haven';t really regretted it. However (there's always a "however"!), I have an easily removable instrument panel with service loops and disconnects, so the whole thing can be on the work bench in under ten minutes. I also have a huge hole in the middle (7"wide by 11" tall) where my EFIS displays mount, and they can be out with 8 screws in about a minute if I need to get inside for "minor" inspection or surgery.

I have no concerns at all with the access panel that folks have put in - they are pretty logical, and while I have no engineering to back it up, IO doubt that they are structurally a problem. I do wonder how much access they really allow once the fuselage is completed - I find that it is hard enough to reach the far (left) side of the of the forward baggage area when the plan is on it's gear and I am standing on the ground. It's probably no big deal, but is is definitely different than before the top deck and baggage door was installed.

Paul

Definitely Do It

Bill:

Unless you have a set-up like Paul mentioned (above) I would definitely put the access door in. It's not nearly the daunting task that I thought it would be. Actually quite simple. And I can't begin to think how I would connect/disconnect instruments without that access. Not long ago I decided to add an autopilot that required modifying the pitot-static plumbing in order to add the control head. Without the access hatch I would have had to remove the panel and all instruments to accomplish this.

Structurally the area may be stronger than the original. I added a doubler on three sides of the opening (top, left, right) which acts as the attachment base for the hinged door.

For my 2 cents, I recommend this be a standard feature on the airplane.

Chris

billdianne said:

I'm trying to get some feed back from people who have modified the back of instrument panel with a hinged door.

Click to expand...

Was it worth the effort?: Less than a day of work.....that's nothing, at least to me.

Do you find it use full?: More than useful....essential.

Did you worry about structural integrity?: No.

Would you do it again?: Yes.

One thing to watch out for (which I didn't) is the baggage door support bracket that goes from the bulkhead to the firewall. Note in the picture above that you have to work around that. I will need to modify mine at some point in the future. I hope it ends up looking as nice as Rick's.

I am not far enough along to where I have had to use my access door yet. However, I see it as one of those "why not" things. As noted before, it doesn't really take that long to do now and may pay off big in the future.

I can't imagine not having it either. I'm not flying yet, but I have clecoed the forward top skin in place, and can't imagine working behind the panel without the access.

I've got a .032" doubler on my bulkhead, and am using screws and nutplates to secure the door in order to retain some rigidity. The door is also .032" material. I'm a mechanical engineer specialising in aero-structures, and did some quick anaylsis on mine. I'm convinced I lost a small amount of stiffness, but still have plenty of strength left. That's for MY PLANE, AS I CONSTRUCTED IT. It is not a valid statement for any one elses airplane. yada yada yada.

It took less than a day to install it.

My access door only goes half way across the baggage aft bulkhead because I have a smoke oil tank in the left side of the baggage space. I have used the access on many occasions and would make it even larger if I had it to do over. I have dual GRT EFIS and when the display units are removed the holes give great access from the front as well. Also, it makes bucking some of those top skin rivets easier!

O.K., for those of you who have been there, done that.

Take a look at http://www.showplanes.com/images/curProject/DSC01108_2.jpg

Question----would cutting the access hole in the sub panel coupled with using the Show Planes fiberglass part, have a negative affect on the structural integrity of the airframe??

The Show Planes unit does replace quite a bit of factory aluminum skin.

No takers on Mike's question? I'd like to get some feed back on this as well.

Thanks-
Joe