Neat Panel Access Trick!

Looks like Tennessee is getting to be a hotbed for LSA production what with Jabiru USA and Arion Aircraft in Shelbyville, TN and now World Aircraft Company in Paris, Tennessee! Just saw this video on AvWeb about WAC - I'm not so interested in their planes as the demo near the end of the video where they demonstrate a panel that pulls out on drawer slides! Check it out here!

John

N750A

Views: 702

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Allan / Zenair Australia on January 17, 2014 at 1:45pm
Now that is worth thinking about for the next plane
Permalink Reply by Gordon Van Alstyne on January 17, 2014 at 6:23pm

It has been done before.  I told Caleb, Zenith factory engineer, a couple of months ago that I was planning to do this with my 650.  They did do a nice job.  I just hope that mine looks that good.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Paul Bonasera on January 18, 2014 at 11:36am

WAY COOL !!!

Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on January 18, 2014 at 10:46pm

Adds weight, adds building complication. Be really sure you want it, that you feel it is worth the extra empty weight and building time. The removable fuselage skin above the panel looks like a simpler and lighter option, to me. For sure you want some form of under panel access other than standing on your head on the cockpit floor.

Permalink Reply by John Austin on January 19, 2014 at 8:10am

Conventional drawer slides are rather heavy, hopefully they came up with something somewhat lighter. Copying my '99 C206H's panel construction method, I installed two sub-panels - just take out a few screws and pull it out in your lap! The resultant big holes left from sub-panel removal give fairly good access to other things behind the panel. My only regret was I didn't add a third, but when I upgrade my GRT EIS6000 later on, I'm going to install another sub-panel then and transfer almost everything that's on the left side of the fixed panel.

John

Permalink Reply by Peter Autenried on February 17, 2014 at 4:37pm

I did look into drawer sliders, but then decided to use a hinge instead.  I can fold out the entire panel with very little extra weight.  It does add to the building complexity, however only 36 nut plates later and you appreciate to have full access to what is behind the panel.   Please note, throttle and cabin heat cables have to go below the panel.

And yes, I am still waiting on a shipment of two 10" Dynon glass panels.  Incidentally they do fit into the 750 panel! The two 1" RAM knobs give a solid grip to fold out the panel and are the mounting point for additional back-up devices

 

RSS

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
  

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...

Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.

Zenith Homecoming Tee:

Zenair Floats

Flying On Your Own Wings:
 A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz

Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service