Baggage area rivets versus anchor nuts and machine screws

I am building a Cruzer and have placed the sheet metal behind the seats with clecos.  Considering future inspections and maintenance I was thinking of using anchor nuts to assemble the behind the baggage area sheet metal.  Is this a good idea?  Has anyone else done this?  Thanks for you input.

David

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Permalink Reply by Don Morrisey on February 22, 2019 at 8:11pm

I did create a couple of access panels there.  I’m no engineer but I’m pretty sure that nut plates and screws exceed the structural strength of rivets. 

Permalink Reply by dewayne clardy on February 23, 2019 at 8:09am
Send me pic of the area
Permalink Reply by David Banahan on February 23, 2019 at 9:09am

The pic is attached to the original message.

Permalink Reply by Ralph Powell on February 23, 2019 at 1:18pm

David,

  Access to the area under the “tunnel” is very important a to have, even after test period. Access under cargo floor is critical to have until after installation of wings and adjusting linkage for flaperons. If you rivet floor in place before adjusting flaperons you will hate life. I also strongly suggest not riveting large side windows in place until after final adjustment of flaperon linkage. Think, reaching in to adjust linage about twenty times, each.

  I riveted floor in place after my first few test flights. Fuel filters (gasalators) were installed behind, not under adjustable seat area, with large access panels. No photos available, I will not be home for another couple more weeks.

  Even with over 250 hours on my Cruzer I still occasionally pull the tunnel cover off for inspections. At 100 hours I went down from above to modify my flaperons/elevator linkage. I used sheet metal nuts (tindermans) and screws to fasten the tunnel cover in place and have not regretted it.

Ralph

N750RP

Permalink Reply by David Banahan on February 23, 2019 at 4:09pm

OK thanks for your thoughts.  I think I'll use anchor nuts and structural screws in the floor pans and non structural screws for everything else. 

Thanks again,

David

Permalink Reply by Loren Warner on February 23, 2019 at 3:26pm

No photo description available.

Permalink Reply by John Heather on February 23, 2019 at 8:25pm

Hi David, here is what I did for access.  Obviously a 'fetish' for Hinges and Tupperware helps. cheers John

Permalink Reply by Don Morrisey on February 24, 2019 at 8:35am

John, great idea to use hinges so you can have access.

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