kevlar in fuselage

Hi Stewart,

The Ventus CM introduced in 1989 used a carbon fuselage
with a carbon /
kevlar fabric in the bottom of the seat area only.
The carbon fuselage
was to save weight for the motorglider, but the kevlar
was for crash
protection. The kevlar / carbon layer is visible on
the inside, so I assume
it is the last layer in the layup. This would make
it feasible to add a layer
to your glider.

The newer cockpits are much stronger with rails below
the canopy and
stiffer layups. The curved canopy of the ASW 24, 26,
27, 28 is an
important part of a safety cockpit because it reduces
the weak point that
the other sailplanes have at the sharp corners of the
canopy frame. Much
testing has gone into the new fuselage designs. The
new LS10 uses a
curved canopy frame as well.

Rick Walters