Chapter 8 - Step 7 - Install Center Seatbelt Attach points

Step 7 - Nov 20th, 2006 - Install Center Seatbelt Attach Points

Well, I actually did this some time back, possibly before Oshkosh this year... not sure... Anyway, I have started the center seatbelt attachpoints and what they don't say about this part is "Also you must build the rear heat duct..." So that is what I have started here. That piece is still sitting in my garage as a fill in part for when I am waiting on something else and have room on my table.

I do have the front center seatbelt attach points reinforced already but this whole thing is waiting on me to complete the rear heat duct.

Nov 26th, 2006 - Working on that Heat Duct

Well I started this out by tracing my duct on the piece of foam that I previously layed up(top left). I cut those out and then since the whole bit had to be 5-minute epoxied together and is exactly 1 5/8" wide on the inside, I used the handy-dandy 2x4 pieces as a stand(top middle). I mixed up the epoxy with a bit of flox in for good measure per plans and then clamped the whole bit together to let it cure for a few minutes(top right). I then had to add the last bit that I didn't get the first go around, the top to the little 'rampy' part where this part meets the forward landing gear bulkhead. (bottom left)

Dec 6th, 2006 - Still Working on that Heat Duct

Alright, I have been working on the Landing gear (chapter 9)more than anything else but there's been movement here....
I cut the insert for the rear heat duct and alodined it (left). It is drying right now on that string. I also notched the heat duct for the insert. (center & right) This is the location that the rear seatbelts will attach to in the center of the plane.

A Visit
On a fun note: I did have a prospective-now-builder builder visit me from upstate this weekend. I got to show Tim around my project and go through many of the basic layup skills that all builders fear when they first consider a project like this. We covered, basic layups, peel ply, pumps, flox corners.... etc...

Now I know what you're probably thinking as you look as Tim and I standing together there(left picture - Tim on left, me on right). DISGUSTING!!!! How could a guy wearing an Ohio State shirt stand so close to a guy in that hat?!!?! Well Tim didn't get told ahead of time that I moved to Ohio from Michigan and that I like the Wolverines, but he did almost leave as soon as I answered the door if it makes you feel better :-D . Actually the saving grace was that I just that day had received a letter from Ohio State accepting me to a Masters program there and I would be heading off to school at The Ohio State University very shortly.

Now despite my hat and scraggly winter beard, Tim visited on a good day to visit. We were having our neighborhood progressive dinner that evening and we were serving apple-tinis (apple martinis). My wife was "Perfecting" the recipe and Tim and I managed to sample the fruits of that labor. Now there's an image for you! A couple of guys building a plane in a garage drinking martini's !!!! LOL!

Anyway, Tim, I hope the run-through helped and congrats on being the newest member to the Cozy builder family!

Feb 10, 2007 - Doing more...

I finally got around to doing this heat duct layup. I did it early today so that I actually have the peel ply off of it already. As soon as the edges "crisp up" so that I can take the fein tool to it, I'll trim it an put it in the fuselage in the back. That will only leave one layup to do to reinforce the seatbelt attach area. That shouldn't take more than about a 1/2 hour once this is cured in place. It may wait a bit though since I have the fuse turned upside down right now so that I can work on the landing gear.

DEPARTURE FROM PLANS - I took the advice of builder Tim Lumpp who just completed his cozy earlier this year (lucky dog) and decided not to put the transition for the heat duct in now. It is sort of a funky deal so that a round peg fits in a square hole and I never liked it. Sure I know you can't see it, but Tim has it all figured out and it's way more elegant, includes a butterfly valve and works great! You'll see a picture he provided me below right.