Rear Seats, More Panel/Tunnel/Center Console

Started off this morning continuing with the panel mockup and layout. I had a new idea that I think I'm going to move forward with regarding the placement of the GMC-307 autopilot controller. I'd like to put it at the top and in the center of the panel, where you see flight control panels in many larger aircraft. The problem is, there is a support rib behind the panel in this area that Van's doesn't want you to mess with. I know of many people who have messed with them anyway and come up with their own methods of stiffening them, but I'd like to avoid that if I can, especially with the center rib that also is a load path for the cabin cover. Since the GMC307 isn't a very deep unit at less than 1.5", I had an idea to make a little "pod" to put it in and place it in front of the panel, screwing it to the underside of the upper skin and securing the back side to the panel. This way, I won't have to mess with the support rib, and the control panel will be in an even better position! So, I made the front face panel for a "pod" that measures 2.5" x 9" with the bottom two corners radiused. Looks pretty neat! Now to just build the remaining structure and make it look good...

Additionally, I got to work on other parts of the panel including the bottom support brace (some people call it the "switch bar"). It always bugged me that the way it's designed, it doesn't sit flush with the panel and is layered behind the panel itself. So, I made up a 1" wide strip of 0.063" aluminum and match-drilled it to the switch bar to bring it up flush with the panel. I think I'm going to install switches either at or near the seam between the bar and the panel, and then trim the seam with some chrome accent. It looks cool in my head, we'll see if I can make it a reality :-)

Doing all this with the switch bar made me re-think the center console idea a bit that I had earlier. I can make a panel out of 0.063" aluminum and insert it into the middle of the strip on the switch bar, making a perfectly seamless and flat transition from the lower console to the panel! So, I grabbed some more 0.063" sheet and got to work making another center console. I like this WAY more than the piece I made last time. For "cool" factor and more mockup purposes, I got out the fuel selector and the throttle quadrant and set them all into position for a photo.

N165MJ Panel Mockup #2

I think this should work nicely! Oh, and don't mind the armrest. I had a few people ask about it, I got it off ebay for about $30, it's for a Nissan Versa I think. It's about the right size, but it's also about the quality you'd expect for an aftermarket auto interior part sold on eBay and shipped direct from China. It also has a nice little toll change tray inside, which will come in super handy for all those fly-through toll booths you see from time to time. So, I don't think this is "the" armrest for this plane, but it is at least "an" armrest that I can use for mockup purposes, and maybe build my own that will be similar but better, and integrate the quadrant to it.

The last thing I did with the panel shenanigans was cut the tunnel cover at the point where the console meets the cover. This way, the middle part of the cover can be removed without pulling out all the avionics behind the panel if the fuel valve, parking brake, controls, etc need adjustment or service. Pretty straightforward deal, hoping it works out nicely!

With that, Sarah wandered out into the garage (panel stuff doesn't interest her... silly girl :-P) and we continued with the rear seats. Lots of measuring, marking, drilling, and clecoing. Eventually we had both sides drilled and test-fitted into position. Then we grabbed my extra F-637A seat back and laid it over the F-637A already in place for the left seat, and slid it out until it was 1/4" away from the right side seat. A few match-drills later, I think we were able to pull off making a 60/40 split bench backseat with minimal extra parts and effort! Pics to follow.

That's it for tonight, I think tomorrow we'll probably just continue on the back seat and get that finished up. Getting close to being "done" with everything except the cabin cover....... fiberglassing is imminent!