I've been remiss in adding uodates. I have spent way too much time on some of my potential mods which I subsequently change my mind on. The banana slot (which I still may do) and the John Austin seat belt mod (which I probably won't). Reason being, I would have to delay riveting the baggage compartment for both mods...until I get further along and honestly I'm more interested in finishing. The banana slot mod can be done later when the flaperons are added and my big deal with the Austin seat belt mod is the 4 lbs it would add...and I know from previous experience that added weight really becomes a factor and 4 lbs is a lot...and I have a heavier than normal engine in the O200 so I really need to be thoughtful about added weight. I do want 4 point seat belts but I think there's another way which will add minimal weight...the angle of the seat belts may not be state of the art, but I'm ok with that. More on that to come.
One mod I do plan for certain is the divorce of the flaperons from the elevator and their connection in the torque tube...I know many have said the design works OK but I just don't agree w/it, I think they should be separate and its easy enough to do, there are several different proven methods and honestly I can't believe Zenith hasn't changed the design
So with all that said, I cut two holes in the baggage compartment floor for access panels...will have to fabricate the covers. Then I riveted pretty much everything else on the rear fuse except the front lower gussets and also the where the seat belt brackets attach and where I would add a doubler for the banana slot mod...all in case I change my mind!!
Additionally I fabricated two doublers out of .063 aluminum, that wil be riveted to the sides of the tunnel, in the area where the elevator attaches...and I left both of the tunnel side pieces unriveted in case they need to come out to complete the divorce mod.
Onto the cabin.
Tunnel sides unriveted
.063 doublers
Note no rivet areas..don't go by the written stuff
