The access panels consist of 5 separate parts. There is a top and bottom portion made of 0.025 aluminum. There are (2) 0.063 tabs that secure to the top part with 2 rivets and the other side of the tab has a nut plate. The two halves are split at the center point of the circular cut out for the cabin brace rod. I used the hydraulic knock-out punch to make the hole in each panel. I split them into two pieces by scoring a line with a razor blade. The flane I made using 2 passes with the flycutter starting with the inner most circle. I then used my custom made dimple die for use with the hydraulic knock-out kit to make the flange. The panel sits 0.5" beyond the border of the opening in the turtle deck. I then drilled out holes along the perimeter where all the #10 screws will go. I then drilled out all the nut plate rivet holes. Next will be to scrub and prime the turtle deck then flush rivet all the nut plates to the turtle deck. Now I have the ability to get easy access to the rear of the instrument panel and remove the cabin brace rods.
