Hello everybody, does anybody have access doors installed on one or both sides of the boot cowl in order to have easier access to the instruments in case of the need to do work or repair something there and to not have to disassemble the whole instrument panel to reach back there? Do you think is a good idea or not?
Boot cowl access doors?
- Thread starter dwm
- Start date
I saw some pictures of the 3 pieces version. Looks very convenient.
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RaisedByWolves
FRIEND
Tx
Not a super cub but my j3, the boot cowl (both sides), instrument panel, windshield retaining strips, everything is nut plated and bolted together. Slicker than snot. Complete unobstructed access to the back of the instrument panel and gas tank. Took a bit of time to get everything nicely fit, but extremely happy with zero rivets anywhere. A 100% must in my opinion.
Sik
Sik
My boot cowl top section stays put so my windshield doesn’t need to come out. Both sides remove in a couple of minutes with a screwdriver. Removing the windshield is the last thing I’d want to do. And FWIW, being able to drop out parts of the panel is dang handy, too. Especially to access the GSU 25. I can reach my connectors from the sides.
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Ryan Murphy
Registered User
Not an 18, but here’s a wrecked Carbon Cub I’m working on. Same principle. The boot cowl was crinkled on the top so I cut it out and replaced it with a carbon fiber panel. Aluminum would work just as well; however,had carbon fiber on hand
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Ryan Murphy
Registered User
Thx, Pretty much copied yours
Finally because the boot cowl was already finished we decided to do access doors in both sides instead to make a new one.
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an alternative would have been to cut out the entire side (instead of an access door), essentially giving you a four piece boot cowl with removable sides. From there you'd be one step away from having the bottom portion of the boot cowl removable as well.
still, your solution is less intrusive, looks good, and serves the purpose.
still, your solution is less intrusive, looks good, and serves the purpose.
Bearhawk Builder
FRIEND
In the woods
We also thought about that option, but we were afraid that it wouldn't be “rigid” enough
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I’m not sure what other guys are trying to access with a couple of these pics. If the access panel is below the bottom of the instrument panel you’ll likely see the back side of the interior panel. In my plane the G3X components are mounted on an equipment shelf behind the panel. No access from below. The only way to get to the components and more importantly the connectors is by removing my boot cowl sides, and mine extend quite high up the sides. The better behind-the-panel access solution for most planes is building drop-out panels into the instrument panel.
In this pic the tray is for my transponder. All other components of the G3X are on the shelf above the txp. The GEA24 connectors have required my attention several times. That box is right inside my RH boot panel. Plan carefully.
In this pic the tray is for my transponder. All other components of the G3X are on the shelf above the txp. The GEA24 connectors have required my attention several times. That box is right inside my RH boot panel. Plan carefully.
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Hi stewart, you are right, first I will have to remove the interior panels to then be able to access to the back of the instrument panel. My idea of having those doors is the same you had, to have an easy access to the components of the G3X which are mounted on the fuselage pipes behind the instrument panel and not easy to access from the interior of the plane.
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