Brief Description: Drilling Fuse Skins - Front Seat Support F-823
Next was drilling the holes for the front seat back support (F-823). This part also needs the cargo straps as the fuselage needs to be pulled in slightly to allow the front seat back support, the spacer (F-856) and the cockpit rails to be drilled in the right place with proper edge distance. The problem is, this assembly is held to the side of the fuselage by only 5 clecos (each side) on the seat back support plate until the final assembly when more rivets (under the feet of the front seatback support) hold the assembly firmly. But until the final assembly the 5 clecos just can't hold it in the correct position (flush to the fuselage sidewalls) with the natural pull of the fuse sides and the large steel front seat back support.
This is a common pitfall people fall into - so if you are building an -8, use the straps. Otherwise, the hole drilled from underneath in the aft end, will be too close to the edge. I ran the straps under the workbench as the bottom skins would be in the way otherwise. (pic #3)
I feel great about getting 2 big/risky steps done today!
side view of front seat support
top view - showing drilled holes - left arrow shows potential problem hole
