I started the instrument panel today; there are a lot of holes that hold the flange to the instrument panel. I drilled all of the holes for the flange as well as the holes for the nut plates that are used to attach the center section of the instrument panel. After the drilling I used the drill press to machine countersink all of the holes for flush rivets. The subpanels are thick but I like some backing to keep the countersink bit from moving in the hole, so I drilled and clecoed the parts to some scrap MFD. I must say the countersinks came out nice; it will be pity to paint over the rivets. I need to make some holes in the subpanels for air vent and switches. I at least need to make the big holes before I rivet the flange onto the subpanels. This means I need to order the air vents I want to use; the stock vents from Van’s are plastic and I hear do not close off the air when needed as well. So once again I have to stop work to get something ordered. Luckily there is always something else to work on.
The center is the main panel and is removable from the plane the sub-panels are fixed.
