Boot Cowl Question

[Bcone1381]

I am working on the boot cowl. Is there any support, like a 3/4 piece of angle AL, that should be fabricated and installed from the top of the instrument panel forward to the fire wall? Wondering if the AL would sag or need support in this area. I seem to recall a scratch build that did it that way, but can t find the photo now, otherwise I would include it for comment The Bearhawk Build manual is silent on it, so at this point I think its not needed.

IMG_4413.jpg

[Bdflies]

My top is one piece. One thing you could do, to stiffen the unsupported section, is bend down a short flange on the edge of the bottom piece.

Bill

[Collin Campbell]

Bob covers the construction of the boot cowl in the Bearhawk Book as well as the early newsletters. He recommends the boot cowl being constructed in 3 pcs. 2 side pcs joined at the top with a center section about 18" wide. You will want a flange (1/2-3/4") of some sort at the overlap seams. There is a good drawing in the book/newsletters. You should have gotten this with your plans. I am looking at my LSA book and it's on page 48. I don't see anything wrong with the way you are doing it though, but I would suggest a flange of some sort at the seam to stiffen things up a bit. On the LSA, I made the center section in two pieces...the back half removeable so I can get to the backside of the panel easier...you WILL need to get in there from time to time...lol.

Collin

[BTAZ]

On my LSA, I first made the boot cowl out of the three pieces shown in the book. I then remade them, making the top piece cover from about halfway down on one side to halfway down on the other(still installing the angles on the top where the original 18" piece ended). Then I made two lower pieces. I bent an angle in the top of the lower pieces to stiffen the joint between the upper and lower overlap..

This allows me to remove the two lower side pieces completely without disturbing the windshield,making access to the rear of the instrument panel, front rudder pedals, brake cylinders, etc. much easier.

[Bcone1381]

This allows me to remove the two lower side pieces completely without disturbing the windshield,making access to the rear of the instrument panel, front rudder pedals, brake cylinders, etc. much easier.

This is my goal as well.

[Bcone1381]

Bob covers the construction of the boot cowl in the Bearhawk Book as well as the early newsletters. He recommends the boot cowl being constructed in 3 pcs. 2 side pcs joined at the top with a center section about 18" wide. You will want a flange (1/2-3/4") of some sort at the overlap seams. There is a good drawing in the book/newsletters. You should have gotten this with your plans. I am looking at my LSA book and it's on page 48. I don't see anything wrong with the way you are doing it though, but I would suggest a flange of some sort at the seam to stiffen things up a bit. On the LSA, I made the center section in two pieces...the back half removeable so I can get to the backside of the panel easier...you WILL need to get in there from time to time...lol.

Collin

Collin, thanks for the reference, I had neglected to look at it when the question arose. Thanks for the information about the panel access. I will include that as well.