12-29-2019

After looking over the pieces for the side panels (under the cabin doors) that were provided in the kit, I decided I wanted to extend the aluminum sheet the whole length of the cabin doorway and also make it in such a fashion as to create a threshold in the doorway. I feel there is a potential people might hit the fabric just below the doorway causing damage over time. 

To accomplish this, I traced out the side panels provided by the kit onto posterboard, then extended the posterboard all the way back to the end of the doorway. I left extra material all the way around including enough material at the top so I could bend the piece over to create the threshold.

After completing the template, I transfered it to a sheet of 2024-T3, 0.025" aluminum, cut it out and located it back on the aircraft for final fitment. I learned it was best to complete all trimming of the areas around the landing gear fitting and bending the threshold segment before rolling the bottom edge over the longeron. 

I intend to secure the lower edges of this new panel using existing tabs and several metal clamps (without rubber coushion) affixed to the lower longeron. These clamps would be located beneath the fabric that will run on the belly of the aircraft.