Brief Description: Cockpit side console; panel planning; ELT and A/P
I added two stiffeners to the right side of the cockpit side console, and now the console is rock solid, even with considerable pressure applied to it -- the way a person agressively throwing switches or climbing in and out of the cockpit might behave. I also removed one of the stiffeners that runs along the left lower edge of the console and will replace it with a beefier one. This is the edge of the console that my right leg will probably rest against in cruise flight, and I don't want it to flex at all. This thing will probably be WAY overbuilt, but I think that's OK.
I began countersinking and dimpling the various components of the console where needed, and I scuffed and primed several attach angles.
Then I spent a rewarding hour laying out switches and panel components to get an idea of how much room I actually have on the side console and the side instruments panels. I drew some layouts and rearranged switches based on how I think I'll use them. It's interesting how my perception of good a layout has changed now that I can actually see the components and the space they'll occupy.
Finally, I spent some time laying out the autopilot pitch servo and ELT, and planning how I'll mount them in the aft fuselage.
Lots of drawing and scheming today...
...along with placing switches and various components to check their clearances and ergonomics.
The ELT will go on the right side, behind the baggage compartment. I'll fabricate a mount for it soon.
