>>Since any "third pin" bushing would be located outboard of the
weatherstrip
>seal, how is water kept out of the cockpit?
>Rob Housman
Message text written by Graham Singleton
>Rob
Use a blind bush, that's what we did on Paul McA's.
Jonti Docker was the guy who Ivan persuaded to build the fuselages. Nice
guy. He suggested glueing half of a 1/2 inch ball onto the bottom of the
door and a matching recess in the door frame. THe door is flexible enough
to latch into it on closing but once the shoot bolts are in it will lock in
place; the draft under the bulging edge of the unrestrained door will no
longer tug at your shirt sleeve and startle you!.
I have not yet seen anyone do this mod, I have an idea it was done on
G-ELSA, the second prototype, Andy?<
Ian Rickard and I had a meeting with Francis Donaldson and John Tempest
about modifications. They indicated that they would not approve any mod
which drilled a hole in the door frame along the lower edge as they believe
that this will significantly affect the structural integrety of the side of
the fuselage at that point. Whilst this only directly affects UK owners it
might be worth looking at this aspect a little more before drilling any
holes. It is easy to see that with a hole drilled in this area there is
very little material left to reinforce. One way of recovering the strength
is to add extra width to the edge. As this would be impractical on the
outside the other way would be adding width on the inside which would
intrude into the seat area (not desirable). Failing that it might be
possible to create extra bracing to the same width (with no hole) below the
range of the pin. Anyone in the UK should confirm their intentions with the
PFA before proceeding. Whilst it is popular to criticise the PFA, I think
they have a point and I would recommend that those of you outside the UK
consider very carefully how you will regain the strength in this area
before proceeding.
Regardless of this mod I note that the lower frame tends to twist slightly
when weight is put on it when entering and exiting. To this end it might be
worth stiffening this area by either glassing in electrical trunking or
just bracing between the inner edge and the fuselage wall.
Nigel Charles
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