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Aluminum Belly Pan
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patreilly43(at)hotmail.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

Lynn, I like the idea of tabs to secure the belly pan. I also like epoxy attachment. I could also weld the tabs on. The front cross tube on my Mod 3 had the lower firewall screwed or riveted directly into that tube. It was not attached when I got the plane. It just has the holes in the firewall and tube. What brand of epoxy do you recommend for the clips. The paint would need to be removed in the area where it was epoxied and repainted. At least I think most epoxies require clean metal for attachment. I didn't plan on fabric covering that portion of the belly the pan covers. I will see if I can find the metal cable clips you mention.  Again Thank You for your advice. It is invaluable to have the experience available through this Kitfox Thread.       Pat Reilly Mod 3 Rebuild Rockford, IL 



 	  Quote: 	
		   From: lynnmatt(at)jps.net

 Subject: Re: Aluminum Belly Pan

 Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:26:19 -0500

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Lynn Matteson <lynnmatt(at)jps.net>

 

 Thanks, Pat.

 I get nervous about screwing right into the structural fuselage 

 tubing. I'd rather epoxy some brackets to the tubing, so that the 

 "structural integrity" [don't know what that means, but it sounds 

 important : ) ] isn't compromised/weakened. You could epoxy a pre- 

 drilled bracket(s) to the tubing, then put a hole right through the 

 fabric, and this would mount the belly pan.

 I would make a question-mark shaped bracket, and drill some holes 

 into the rounded part of the bracket. When you epoxy the bracket in 

 place, the epoxy oozes through the holes, and helps hold the bracket 

 to the tubing. Maybe single-screw brackets, or some wide brackets, so 

 that a couple of screws could be used in each bracket, cutting down 

 on the number of brackets needed to be epoxied on.

 Hey, I just thought of something...Gardner-Bender of Milwaukee, WI, 

 makes EZ-Cable Clips in various sizes. I found then at a hardware 

 store in the electrical department.I have some made from aluminum, 

 and they'd be almost perfect, if bent to shape. I would use anchor 

 nuts riveted onto the clips, (before gluing the clips in place) and 

 then use machine screws to secure the belly pan.

 

 

 Lynn Matteson

 Grass Lake, Michigan

 Kitfox IV Speedster w/Jabiru 2200

 flying w/460+ hrs

 

 

 

 On Jan 20, 2008, at 11:38 AM, patrick reilly wrote:

 

 > Lynn, Thanks for reply. I am definitly installing an aluminum belly 

 > pan. What about pop riveting or screwing the pan to the fusalage 

 > tubing, similar to the screws at the front, at the rear. I am going 

 > to mount the front as you mentioned, slide it under the bottom of 

 > the firewall. I saw your picture on the Kitfox factory website, 

 > nice looking plane. Pat Reilly Mod 3 rebuild Rockford, IL

 >

 > > From: lynnmatt(at)jps.net

 > > Subject: Re: Aluminum Belly Pan

 > > Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 10:31:56 -0500

 > > To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 > >

 > > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Lynn Matteson <lynnmatt(at)jps.net>

 > >

 > > I have a Grove gear, and it seems like there must be a bit of 

 > drag on

 > > that, where the air passes between the belly of the plane and the

 > > gear. I have thought of putting a belly pan in that area, using the

 > > screws that hold the bottom portion of the firewall...the horizontal

 > > "flap"...to hold the front of the belly pan. My notion was to remove

 > > the screws, slide the front of the belly pan under the firewall 

 > flap,

 > > and screw it back down. then slope the belly pan down under the 

 > Grove

 > > gear, and then back up to the fuse. I'd make the whole thing about 2

 > > feet long, and this would streamline, to some extent, the Grove 

 > gear.

 > > I haven't worked it all out in my mind yet, but the sides could be

 > > formed up, I'm thinking, to cover the gear attaching brackets, and

 > > fair those in as well. The biggest problem as I see it would be

 > > attaching the rear of the pan to the fuse. Maybe some brackets

 > > epoxied inside the fuse to the crosstubes would work. A belly pan in

 > > this area would ease cleanup in this area as well.

 > >

 > > A fellow lister has a Model V, and the builder of that plane 

 > actually

 > > did some structural work in that area...Grove gear...to fair in the

 > > belly of the plane, and enclose the gear at that point. Danny, Deke,

 > > or Duane might want to shed some light on this, Danny especially.

 > >

 > > Lynn Matteson

 > > Grass Lake, Michigan

 > > Kitfox IV Speedster w/Jabiru 2200

 > > flying w/460+ hrs

 > >

 > >

 > >

 > > On Jan 19, 2008, at 11:44 PM, john oakley wrote:

 > >

 > > > Pat,

 > > >

 > > > If I had to do it over again, I would put an aluminum pan under 

 > the

 > > > cabin.

 > > >

 > > >

 > > >

 > > > John Oakley

 > > >

 > > > 912 speedster cap

 > > >

 > > >

 > > >

 > > > From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-

 > > > list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Pat Reilly

 > > > Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 2:30 PM

 > > > To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 > > > Subject: Kitfox-List: Aluminum Belly Pan

 > > >

 > > >

 > > >

 > > > Kitfoxers, has anybody put an aluminum belly pan under the cabin?

 > > > Would .025 thick add too much weight?

 > > >

 > > >

 > > >

 > > > Pat Reilly

 > > >

 > > > Mod 3 Rebuild

 > > >

 > > > Rockford, IL

 > > >

 > > > http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-Listhttp://

 > > > forums.matronics.comhttp://www.matronics.com/contribution

 > > > http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List_-

 > > > ========== _-

 > > > forums.matronics.com_-

 > > > =================================== _-

 > > > contribution_-

 > > > ==========>

 > >

 > >

 > http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List_- 

 > =========== 

 > forums.matronics.com_- 

 > ========== _- 

 > contribution_- 

 > ==============================> 

 

 


	


  [quote][b]

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

Especially considering the mud hopping you've shown us!  I always thought it

was the under side of the wings that you had to be careful hot to hit with

mud coming off the wheels.



Noel

when  you get done  armouring your aircraft  get some film of why you need

it , that would be the best part to see what you are doing to warrant  this





--------

Rotax Dealer, Ontario Canada

Flying Videos and Kitfox Info

http://www.cfisher.com/

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

avidfox

Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 87

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

Vintage Pipers, J-3's, 4's, PA-15's,17's, 20's, 22's, etc. have small, drilled tabs welded to the tubing with clip-on tinnermans to attach a aluminum belly pan. It works perfect and has for 70 years 

  

 A 2007 $125,000.00 CubCrafter has small holes drilled right into the tubing and the pan is attached with a zillion #4 PK screws. I don't care to think about what the holes will look like in a few years after the pan has been removed for each inspection and general maintenance, No doubt all augured out and oversized with an assortment of #4's, #6's, and in time #8, I'm concerned also about what was mentioned about future internal corrosion because of the holes compromising the tubing interior 

  

 No doubt CubCrafters does this for labor cost savings and simplicity, but it sucks.

  

 Steve Benesh

 A&P, IA

 



 

  [quote][b]

Jimz

Joined: 09 Dec 2007
Posts: 31

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

A friend is building a series 5 and so am I. His kit came with an aluminum  extrusion to use to cut out clips to attach the aluminum pan under the rudder  pedals. He had me cut them for him and here is a picture of the extra one. This  is the second plane that I have seen use them. They get epoxied to the tubes,  then either a rivet or screw holds the aluminum pan.

 Jim Z 

 Series 5 0-200

 Covering.

IMG_0405.JPG

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jdmcbean(at)kitfoxaircraf
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:22 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

Has anyone thought about maybe using heavy fabric on the bottom instead of the aluminum ?? Just a thought.  

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>  

 AUTOTEXTLIST \s "E-mail  Signature" <![endif]-->Fly Safe !!  

John & Debra McBean  

208.337.5111  

www.kitfoxaircraft.com    

"It's not how Fast... It's how Fun!"  

<![endif]--><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>  

-----Original Message-----

 From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com]On Behalf Of patrick reilly

 Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 9:56 AM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: Aluminum Belly Pan  

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>  

John, Thanks for your response. I will fabricate an aluminum belly pan. I will use .020 or.016 clad aluminum. Pat Reilly Mod 3 Rebuild Rockford, IL       

   

From: john(at)leptron.com

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: Aluminum Belly Pan

 Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:44:19 -0700  

Pat,  

If I had to do it over again, I would put an aluminum pan under the cabin.  

   

John Oakley  

912 speedster cap   

        

   

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Pat Reilly

 Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 2:30 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Aluminum Belly Pan  

   

Kitfoxers, has anybody put an aluminum belly pan under the cabin? Would .025 thick add too much weight?    

   

Pat Reilly  

Mod 3 Rebuild  

Rockford, IL  [quote]  http://www.matronics.com/contribution <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>arget=_blank>http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-Listp://forums.matronics.comblank>http://www.matronics.com/contribution<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>          - The Kitfox-List Email Forum -   --> http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List               - MATRONICS WEB FORUMS -   --> http://forums.matronics.com             - List Contribution Web Site -  Thank you for your generous support!                              -Matt Dralle, List Admin.   --> http://www.matronics.com/contribution<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>[b]

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

Lynn: 



The only time I ever heard of any one intentionally putting a hole in a tube

frame is when they are inhibiting the interior of the tube.  Other than that

tabs would always be welded to the exterior before the frame was inhibited.



The inhibiting process includes drilling two small holes in the upper and

lower corners of the frame.  Inserting about a quart (depending on the size

of the frame) of double-boiled linseed oil into one of the holes ( a hypo

works well) and then sealing the holes with PK self tapping screws.  For the

next few days hang the frame and turn it in every direction and let it sit

for a couple of hours to ensure the oil flowed to every part of the interior

of the frame.  Then after about a week of this turning you would turn it so

one of the holes was at the low point, remove both screws and drain out the

excess linseed oil.  This can take overnight. Re-seal the holes with the

screws.  For obvious reasons never drill the holes into joints (welds) and

always drill into the inside of the frame not the outside where the cloth

lies.  This form of interior rust control has been protecting tube frame

aircraft for almost a century.  Only down side to this process is if you mop

the linseed oil up with a rag you have to be very careful the rag won't

spontaneously combust.  Rags wet with linseed oil should be immediately

stored in a fireproof container or used to start the fireplace.  I've seen a

wet rag combust in as little as fifteen minutes and fill a hangar with

white, cough, cough, smoke. 

Noel Loveys

AME Intern, RPP

Kitfox III-A, 582,B box

Ivo IFA, Aerocet 1100 floats



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

jcorner(at)shaw.ca
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

patreilly43(at)hotmail.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

John, Thought about heavy fabric on belly, but doesn't give accessability. Pat Reilly Mod 3 Rebuild  Rockford, IL



 [quote]  From: jdmcbean(at)kitfoxaircraft.com

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: Aluminum Belly Pan

Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:19:22 -0700



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Has anyone thought about maybe using heavy fabric on the bottom instead of the aluminum ?? Just a thought. 

  

Fly Safe !! 

John & Debra McBean 

208.337.5111 

www.kitfoxaircraft.com   

"It's not how Fast... It's how Fun!" 

  

--

patreilly43(at)hotmail.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

Jim, Thanks for the picture. I will fabricate some of those clips. What brand epoxy do you recommend?  Pat Reilly Mod 3 Rebuild Rockford, iL



 [quote]  From: jezim(at)pro-ns.net

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Aluminum Belly Pan

Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:34:14 -0600



     A friend is building a series 5 and so am I. His kit came with an aluminum extrusion to use to cut out clips to attach the aluminum pan under the rudder pedals. He had me cut them for him and here is a picture of the extra one. This is the second plane that I have seen use them. They get epoxied to the tubes, then either a rivet or screw holds the aluminum pan.

 Jim Z 

 Series 5 0-200

 Covering.

[b]

patreilly43(at)hotmail.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:58 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

Darin, Yes I don't think putting an aluminum belly pan on would be difficult. Looks easier than fabric covering. Thanks for the reference to Hysol epoxy. I didn't know what brand to use. I think a 2 piece belly pan would be easiest. Front one from firewall 1/2 way back, then another slipped under the front one to cover the last 2 feet. Removed, it would facilitate easier bungee access also. .020 Alcad aluminum would weigh 3 1/2 pounds and cost $50. It seems like a no brainer to me. 

  

 Pat Reilly Mod 3 Rebuild Rockford, IL  



 	  Quote: 	
		   Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Aluminum Belly Pan

 From: gerns25(at)netscape.net

 Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:50:40 -0800

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "darinh" <gerns25(at)netscape.net>

 

 Pat,

 

 John hit one reason on the head and that is introducing moisture into the chromoly tubing. Once this steel gets wet, it will rust pretty fast and this will be corrosion you will never see until it is too late. Another reason is strength. I am a structural/Civil engineer and anytime you put a hole in something, you introduce concentrated stress points around the holes. Granted round holes are better than sharp edges but not hole is better. The tubing along the bottom of the fuse will see some pretty good loads especially while landing so I would go for a different attachment method. I would be easy enough to fab brackets that are glued with Hysol to the structure and then rivet or rivnut (that way it is removable) to those. The more I talk about this, the easier is seems like it would be and maybe I will undertake the mod as I am at that point now. 

 

 Dave,

 

 I have seen sticks, rocks and other debris go through fabric many times. The desert environment of Southern Utah is especially notorious for this. Wheels often kick up rocks and alot of them are sharp shale and sandstone chips that are razor sharp.

 

 I think adding the skin is a great idea!

 

 --------

 Darin Hawkes

 Series 7 (under Construction)

 914 Turbo

 Kaysville, Utah

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=159416#159416

 

 

 

&g========================> 
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   

 


	


  [quote][b]

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Aluminum Belly Pan

 	  Quote: 	
		  I think that I would be more concerned about the radiator on the Rotax installs catching debris than the fabric. And if you want a "skid plate " just use somthing thin like 016 and ADEL clamps. 



when you get done armouring your aircraft get some film of why you need it , that would be the best part to see what you are doing to warrant this 

	




John and Darin covered the most important points with regard to  the 4130 tubing.  



Whats about the radiator ?

_________________
Realtime Kitfox movies to separate the internet chatter from the truth
http://www.youtube.com/user/kitfoxflyer
Hundreds of Kitfox Movies
Most viewed Kitfox on youtube
Most popular on youtube
Highest rated on youtube

darinh

Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 327
Location: Utah

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject: Re: Aluminum Belly Pan

Pat,



The Hysol you want is 9460 and is available from John.  Like you said, it is best to adhere to bare metal that has been cleaned and prepped for adhesive. 



Dave,



I don't have to worry about the radiator as on the 7 it is inside the cowl...on my Model 3 it was under the cabin and I had it in the radiator fairing.  I had a  bunch of chips out of the fiberglass fairing but luckily never had anything get inside and puncture it.

_________________
Darin Hawkes
Series 7
914 Turbo
Kaysville, Utah

JohnA

Joined: 22 Dec 2007
Posts: 26
Location: Woodland, CA

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

I've been following this thread with interest.  I see any number of uses for tabs like that from belly pans to mounts for an autopilot.  Where can such aluminum extrusion be found?  

John Alexander  

Woodland, CA  

On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:34:14 -0600, Zimmermans wrote > A friend is building a series 5 and so am I. His kit came with an aluminum extrusion to use to cut out clips to attach the aluminum pan under the rudder pedals. He had me cut them for him and here is a picture of the extra one. This is the second plane that I have seen use them. They get epoxied to the tubes, then either a rivet or screw holds the aluminum pan.  > Jim Z  > Series 5 0-200  > Covering.        [quote][b]

_________________
John Alexander
Woodland, CA

jcorner(at)shaw.ca
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject: aluminum Belly Pan

On 20-Jan-08, at 8:31 AM, Lynn Matteson wrote:




I have a Grove gear, and it seems like there must be a bit of drag on  

that, where the air passes between the belly of the plane and the  

gear. I have thought of putting a belly pan in that area, using the  

screws that hold the bottom portion of the firewall...the horizontal  

"flap"...to hold the front of the belly pan. My notion was to remove  

the screws, slide the front of the belly pan under the firewall flap,  

and screw it back down. then slope the belly pan down under the Grove  

gear, and then back up to the fuse. I'd make the whole thing about 2  

feet long, and this would streamline, to some extent, the Grove gear.  

I haven't worked it all out in my mind yet, but the sides could be  

formed up, I'm thinking, to cover the gear attaching brackets, and  

fair those in as well. The biggest problem as I see it would be  

attaching the rear of the pan to the fuse. Maybe some brackets  

epoxied inside the fuse to the crosstubes would work. A belly pan in  

this area would ease cleanup in this area as well.



A fellow lister has a Model V, and the builder of that plane actually  

did some structural work in that area...Grove gear...to fair in the  

belly of the plane, and enclose the gear at that point. Danny, Deke,  

or Duane might want to shed some light on this, Danny especially.

Lynn



Just happens that I had the same thought as you that the Grove gear  

area would create an area of  extra drag between the gear and the  

belly.   I just finished fabricating a small belly pan which will be  

attached at the front under the firewall flap using screws into a 1/2  

x 3/4 wood cross brace which is in turn held to the fuse by screws  

through the floorboards.  (i.e.  no holes in tubing.)



At the rear I have drilled and tapped a couple of holes into the  

round aluminum gear retainers and then attached an aluminum angle  

across the width of the fuselage.  The bottom of the angle is flush  

with the bottom of the Grove gear.   



A couple of small photos attached.



Jim Corner

Model 2, 582,. Ivo med !FA, 1100 hrs

Model 5 under construction

Calgary, AB



IMGP2702.JPG





IMGP2703.JPG





IMGP2704.JPG



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Jimz

Joined: 09 Dec 2007
Posts: 31

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:19 pm Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

Hysol 9460 John Mcbean has  it.

 [quote]   ---

rjdaugh

Joined: 30 Aug 2006
Posts: 195

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject: aluminum Belly Pan

Hey guys,

Don't for get that the grove gear moves below the center of the cockpit.

The center moves down as the wheels flex up.    Just be sure to design for

it if you are fairing it in.  I like the access that a removable pan would

allow.  I have had no problems (yet!) with holes from sticks or stones.



Randy



.           



--

_________________
Randy
Kitfox 5/7 912S
Black Hills, South Dakota

avidfox

Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 87

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject: aluminum Belly Pan

On Jan 20, 2008 10:52 PM, Randy Daughenbaugh <rjdaugh(at)rapidnet.com (rjdaugh(at)rapidnet.com)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Randy  Daughenbaugh" < rjdaugh(at)rapidnet.com (rjdaugh(at)rapidnet.com)>



Hey guys,

Don't for get that the grove gear moves below the center of the cockpit.

The center moves down as the wheels flex up.    Just be sure to design for

it if you are fairing it in.  I like the access that a removable pan would 

allow.  I have had no problems (yet!) with holes from sticks or stones.



Randy 	
  

 -------------

 --------------------------------------

 Go here for a video demo of what Randy is speaking of....

 http://www.groveaircraft.com/drptst.html

  

 Here is Grove's site a w\picture of flex.

 [quote]http://www.groveaircraft.com/droptest.html #



.

 

--

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:31 am Post subject: Aluminum Belly Pan

The brand that was prevalent when I built in '04-06 was Hysol. It  

looks a LOT like J-B Weld, and some have suggested that it is, but  

I'm not sure. I'd rather see the name that I trust on the can than  

wish later that I had.  I'm sure John McBean supplies Hysol, or  

locally you can probably get it at an industrial supplier.

Lynn Matteson

Grass Lake, Michigan

Kitfox IV Speedster  w/Jabiru 2200

flying w/460+ hrs



On Jan 20, 2008, at 2:57 PM, patrick reilly wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Lynn, I like the idea of tabs to secure the belly pan. I also like  

 epoxy attachment. I could also weld the tabs on. The front cross  

 tube on my Mod 3 had the lower firewall screwed or riveted directly  

 into that tube. It was not attached when I got the plane. It just  

 has the holes in the firewall and tube. What brand of epoxy do you  

 recommend for the clips. The paint would need to be removed in the  

 area where it was epoxied and repainted. At least I think most  

 epoxies require clean metal for attachment. I didn't plan on fabric  

 covering that portion of the belly the pan covers. I will see if I  

 can find the metal cable clips you mention.  Again Thank You for  

 your advice. It is invaluable to have the experience available  

 through this Kitfox Thread.       Pat Reilly Mod 3 Rebuild  

 Rockford, IL

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

Michael Logan

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 82

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:48 am Post subject: aluminum Belly Pan

I faired my Grove gear in using plywood ribs epoxied to the tubing.  In

front of the gear, I covered the ribs with aluminum, which provides the

ground plane for the transponder.  Aft of the gear I used fabric like the

rest of the plane.  The fabric is just as tough, if not tougher than the

aluminum and does not dent.  The gear under the fuselage is not covered so

that it can flex.



Mike Logan

Series 5 



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_________________
Mike Logan
Fredericksburg, VA

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:05 am Post subject: aluminum Belly Pan

Jim-

Does your pan extend beyond the Grove gear to the rear? If not, it  

would seem like you'd get some turbulence behind the gear if the pan  

just quit at the gear. I thought I'd slope my pan from the firewall  

flap area down to below the gear, then slope it back up to where it  

would again contact the fuse's fabric, and be held in place there by  

the aforementioned machine screws and Hysol'ed clips inside the fuse.



Lynn Matteson

Grass Lake, Michigan

Kitfox IV Speedster  w/Jabiru 2200

flying w/460+ hrs



On Jan 20, 2008, at 9:02 PM, Jim Corner wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   On 20-Jan-08, at 8:31 AM, Lynn Matteson wrote:

 



 I have a Grove gear, and it seems like there must be a bit of drag  

 on that, where the air passes between the belly of the plane and  

 the gear. I have thought of putting a belly pan in that area, using  

 the screws that hold the bottom portion of the firewall...the  

 horizontal "flap"...to hold the front of the belly pan.

 Lynn



 Just happens that I had the same thought as you that the Grove gear  

 area would create an area of  extra drag between the gear and the  

 belly.   I just finished fabricating a small belly pan which will  

 be attached at the front under the firewall flap using screws into  

 a 1/2 x 3/4 wood cross brace which is in turn held to the fuse by  

 screws through the floorboards.  (i.e.  no holes in tubing.)



 At the rear I have drilled and tapped a couple of holes into the  

 round aluminum gear retainers and then attached an aluminum angle  

 across the width of the fuselage.  The bottom of the angle is flush  

 with the bottom of the Grove gear.


	


 	  Quote: 	
		  

 Jim Corner

 Model 2, 582,. Ivo med !FA, 1100 hrs

 Model 5 under construction

 Calgary, AB

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

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