Installing Underseat Cover Plate

TLDR

• Still work in progress but mostly done, prepared the underseat coverplates for installation

Details

There are several cover plates under the pilot and copilot seats. They cover the gaps below the seats, and closes the access to the main spar area.

The plates were very difficult to install. They fit very tight in the space. I do a few rounds of test fit and marked edges to be trimmed and took them to a benchgrinder, then repeat.

The Front Side

I started the test fit with the front plates. There are 2 plates on each side for the front plate. Since I have my hot air duct going through the main spar, I needed to ensure there is enough space to run the duct after the front plates were installed. After some test fit, I trimmed off about 1 inch right next to the duct.

After test fit, I glued the upholstery onto the metal plate and drilled the holes for M4 screws.

The Back Side

The back side was a whole piece. Similar to the front, I test fitted several rounds to get the edges fit nicely and not chafe on anything.

Then, I opened a 1.5 inch hole with a hole puncher on each of the plate as the hot air outlet.

Marked area to be drilled for hot air vent

Then I test fitted everything.

I stopped today’s work at this point. Still need to be done: upholstery, connecting the air outlet to the air duct, mount them.