Date: Sun, 08 Feb 1998 20:41:41 -0600 From: Mike Davis Subject: COZY: carbon fiber instrument panel Anybody care to elaborate on their cabon instument panel. I have seen one so far and think it looks nice. I'm assuming that the foam sandwich is eliminated and replaced with several layers of carbon. I need to retrofit my panel with one that is more asthetically pleasing. My intent was to have my brother CNC an 1/8-inch aluminum panel; now I'm having second thoughts (weight). Date: Mon, 09 Feb 98 08:30:52 EST From: "KEN SARGENT" Subject: Re: COZY: carbon fiber instrument panel Mike, I made mine of a 1 to kevlar/ 5 carbon hybrid, but I did not eliminate foam, nor do I recommend it. You will need a lot of carbon to equal the loss in bending you will get by separating the plys. It is still a bulkhead, that will get tension, and compression loads as well as shear as the cockpit sides flex. In addition, you want the panel rigid to hold your instruments. Mine cut weight 20% for same stiffness and strength. Bagged it to. As far as the look, I will probably paint it white, so I can see the instruments better. I have seen, at boat builder shows, venders that will silk-screen a carbon fiber pattern onto parts made of something else. They say it is in high demand for steering wheels, and boat cockpit parts. Isn't that funny? Ken Sargent Cozy #555 ken_sargent@wda.disney.com ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: COZY: carbon fiber instrument panel Author: Mike Davis at DISNEY-WDW-INTERNET Date: 2/8/98 10:33 PM Anybody care to elaborate on their cabon instument panel. .... From: "Boykin, Ed (C)" Subject: COZY: Instrument panel Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 09:07:30 -0500 I have been thinking baout hte instrument panel for a while now. What I would like to have is a panel which I can pull out or rotate down to provide easier access to the back of the panel. I am leaning towards a pull out panel with a separate panels for left, right and center console. This may prove to be to complicated so i may settle for a fold down panel instead. I have plenty of time to figure this out.. I hadn't thought about what material I would use but a clear finished carbon fiber panel would be kinda cool. Ed Boykin Date: Mon, 09 Feb 1998 16:15:55 +0200 From: Rego Burger Subject: COZY: Carbon fiber instrument panel It's nice to experiment with new materials...just consider a few points / options: 1) Carbon conducts electricity.( pro's and cons ) 2) Saving weight in the nose is seldom required with the engine at the back. 3) Carbon is expensive. 4) Ply-wood can be used for extra compresive strength ( reason often used for carbon ) 6) Some cut out the panel and replace it with a 2024 sheet metal one. 7) If foam is used as core - use aluminium inserts as hard points at instrument screw points. 8 9 10..... So many choices, sigh. Keep it simple. Rego Burger, web site: http://home.intekom.com/glen/rnb.htm (home e-mail) mailto:rnb@intekom.co.za Date: Mon, 09 Feb 1998 16:21:52 +0200 From: Rego Burger Subject: COZY: Instrument panel You don't need a pull out panel! Some do make them though. The design has a hatch or removable panel cover..it's great! I made mine to come off without having to take the canard off first .. a little mod. to the lips.. I intend adding more instruments once I'm flying, I wish to get airborne with an absolute min to begin with. Easy access a real pleasure to work this way. 2c worth. Rego Burger, web site: http://home.intekom.com/glen/rnb.htm (home e-mail) mailto:rnb@intekom.co.za From: cdenk@ix.netcom.com Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 16:50:04 -0600 (CST) Subject: Re: COZY: Instrument panel Ed Boykin writes I have a removable cover panel above, and it provides more than enough access. There are several problems with a swing out: 1: anywhere you put a hinge pin, look at the radius described by the forward face of instruments and radios. Note that most radios some instruments nearly come forward to the canard. There is no where to provide that kind room. 2: Anytime one moves (to open the panel) wire bundles and tubing, you are asking for trouble. 3: There are other items that shouldn't be disturbed in there, like the elevator trim springs. 4: All the extra wire tubing to provide slack for movement and the hinges etc. add considerable weight. From: cdenk@ix.netcom.com Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 16:58:57 -0600 (CST) Subject: Re: COZY: carbon fiber instrument panel Ken Sargent writes Don't do it!!! It will reflect off the bubble. Need flat (no gloss)dark color, mine is slate grey Deltron. The Cover panel is flat flat textured black deltron. As it is with 1.25" overhang of the cover there is still som reflections of lights posts, internal, and the gas discharge KX-155's on the bubble. I don't think there is a solution to that. The overhang would have to be around 4 inches which is not practical. Not that most professional aircraft (twins and jets) use dark flat colors. From: SBLANKDDS@aol.com Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 20:55:39 EST Subject: Re: COZY: carbon fiber instrument panel Ken Sargent wrote: << As far as the look, I will probably paint it (the panel) white, so I can see the instruments better. >> There is a reason that most all airplanes and most cars have a flat black panel. The glare may blind you flying east in the afternoon....or west in the morning. Even a wood veneer panel should have a flat finish, not a high gloss. Save the shine for the leading edges. If in doubt, bring a white plastic notebook with you in your next spam can flight, and have a friend hold it up parrallel to the panel, it works like a mirror some times... For good ideas, check out the luxery sports cars.....they already did the testing... Steve Blank Cozy Mark IV #36