Hi! Steve.
Yes, I made a small door. However my a/c is currently a trike. I originally
made the entire mono-wheel area removable with flanges round the whole area,
because I had plans for the a/c to be convertible! However I now use the
panel to carry a mechanism to regulate a hot air exit flap, which hasn't
been too successful(Jabiru not Rotax cowl). However I have the gascolator
mounted on the front of the central removable bulkhead and so needed an
access door underneath the gascolator. I cut an appropriately placed hole in
the existing panel and made a hinged door with closing flanges using the
said sprung latch supplied by Europa (Same as the oil dipstick door)
My access door isn't quite big enough but I can get my hand in and can
remove the bowl but really need to see in as well since the replace the two
locking pins to the bowl is not easy by feel but possible. You will need to
do your fuel check through this door but since you need to lay on your back
to do the other water drain checks it's no big problem.
BTW the door edge near the latch needs to be thin ! The latches are really
made for spam cans !
Pictures can be seen at the support site
http://www.crixbinfield.freeserve.co.uk/europa.htm
Click on:- Bob Harrisons Europa G-PTAG
Select :- Cooling Mods.
Select :- Hot air exit flap.
Scroll to:- Forward View (You can just see the closed door.)
Select :- Vent Flap Mechanism(You can see the door open hanging down on the
hinge with the
latch)
Regards
Bob Harrison G-PTAG Europa MKI /Jabiru 3300
-----Original Message-----
From: forum-owner@europaclub.org.uk
Subject: Access Door in fuselage
Has anyone made a hinged door with one of those spring loaded flush
fitting aircraft door catches for the bottom of the fuselage for
gascolator and sump drains? I would like to hear of any pratfall before
I start sawing extra holes in the fuselage. My plan is to make a nice
thick aluminum (ium!) pattern so I get a good hole cut out as well as to
serve as a pattern for the actual door. I suppose the door should be
made thicker to hold its shape since it won't be cinched down with
mutliple screws. Also my thoughts weren't to make the door big enough to
get my hand totally around the gascolator bowl since it won't be removed
at every check. I would gain access through the baggage bay panel. The
outside door would allow the bowl to just drop out . Any
thoughts?ThanksSteveA143Mesa,
AZ--- Steve Hagar--- hagargs@earthlink.net
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