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Section 35: Access Covers

Date Started 4/10/2012
Date Complete4/22/2012
Time 22.75
Changes From Plans Sound Insulation
 

 Tunnel access plate in side of tunel for fuel filter access.AirWard ($60)

 

Right floorboard arrives & tunnel access panel

posted Apr 30, 2012, 8:48 AM by Bill Thomasson   [ updated Apr 30, 2012, 8:55 AM ]

Recived the right floorboard.  I had been shipped 2 left ones.  Van's was very nice and gave it to me for free (including shipping which as going to be the large part of it).  They only say they will fix errors in the kit for 30 days, but 4 months later they fixed this.  Way to go Vans.
 
Installed the Airward RV-10 tunnel access panel.  To do so I had to drill out the floor rivets, cut a large hole in the tunnel, and then rivet it all back up.  I left the 4 rivets out that are near where the rudder cable comes out.  This allowed me to use those rivets to also mount the rudder cable farring (Avery) with the same rivets.  This would have been MUCH easier to do if I had done it when constructing the tunnel.  Would recommend doing it then.
 
Rough cut the hole with a jigsaw and cutoff wheel.  Then used files to clean it up and enlarge it to final size.  Would have been WAY easier to do it before it was assembled.  An access panel is needed especially if you are using the Aerosport dash, as it makes removing the tunnel cover difficult.

Access covers

posted Apr 17, 2012, 8:39 AM by Bill Thomasson

Deburred rear floors then primed them.
 
Assembled and match drilled.  Then dimpled. 
1/2" sound insulation on rear floor.  Was planning on using 3/4 like under front floors, but the ribs were not high enough.
As I started to put the floors down I realized I had not dimpled the ribs.  This ended up being a chalenge as even the thin hole squeesers with dimple dies in them could not fit.  Had to do some jerry rigging to get them dimpled.  Make sure to drill and dimple them before installing on bottom skin.
 
Rear floor installed and ready for riveting.
Left floor pop-riveted.  The side rivets get regular rivets.
At this point I found that I did not have a left and a right floor pan, but 2 left floor pans.  Time to call Van's.  I had missed it on my inventory, but they were nice and said they would fix it even though it was after the 30 days.  I had not found any missing parts in the inventory, so 1 minor messup is not bad at all.
 
Installed nutplates in logerons. for side access panels.  The end rivet on either side was impossible to buck, so I put pop rivets in them as another builder had done.
 
Installed nutplates on all other access panels.
Starting to look like a sort-o finished plane.
 

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