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#11
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DG-300 instrument panel
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#12
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DG-300 instrument panel
"Bruce" wrote in message ... wrote: Thanks Bill, I just happen to have some 1/8" plexiglass in my shop from when I built my router table, so I have that tool too! I might try and get hold of a carbon fiber blank and use that for a svelt looking panel! Carbon is not a good idea for an instrument panel. In a crash it will be strong enough to break legs before it breaks, and when it does break it will be sharp enough to lacerate efficiently. There are good safety reasons for the BGA recommendation of building a nice, not too strong instrument panel in glass fibre. -- Bruce Greeff Std Cirrus #57 I'm no-T at the address above. I understand the crash protection concerns but changing materials in an older glider worries me. It's quite possible that the instrument panel is itself a structural member - even if in hindsight that was a bad idea. Replace the solid original with a frangible one and you may have compromised cockpit strength perhaps gaining nothing or even losing a little safety in the process. Old glider are, well, old gliders and there are risks associated with flying them. You get what you pay for. If you really want the latest in crash protection, dust off the checkbook and buy a new one. Bill Daniels |
#13
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DG-300 instrument panel
Bill Daniels wrote:
"Bruce" wrote in message ... wrote: Thanks Bill, I just happen to have some 1/8" plexiglass in my shop from when I built my router table, so I have that tool too! I might try and get hold of a carbon fiber blank and use that for a svelt looking panel! Carbon is not a good idea for an instrument panel. In a crash it will be strong enough to break legs before it breaks, and when it does break it will be sharp enough to lacerate efficiently. There are good safety reasons for the BGA recommendation of building a nice, not too strong instrument panel in glass fibre. -- Bruce Greeff Std Cirrus #57 I'm no-T at the address above. I understand the crash protection concerns but changing materials in an older glider worries me. It's quite possible that the instrument panel is itself a structural member - even if in hindsight that was a bad idea. Replace the solid original with a frangible one and you may have compromised cockpit strength perhaps gaining nothing or even losing a little safety in the process. Old glider are, well, old gliders and there are risks associated with flying them. You get what you pay for. If you really want the latest in crash protection, dust off the checkbook and buy a new one. Bill Daniels Hi Bill My Cirrus still has the original aluminium panel, partly for this reason. However, if you have decided to play aero engineer and replace it, the current view is that a frangible design is preferable. -- Bruce Greeff Std Cirrus #57 I'm no-T at the address above. |
#14
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DG-300 instrument panel
When I flew the 300 it hurt my knees going around the pod & feet close together in the nose. Combined with the excellent view, I had always wanted to ELIMINATE the instrument pod & use 2" instruments mounted along the sides below the frame rails. I think it would be awsome to have the unrestricted view & the legroom. Who says we need an instrument panel in our faces? we're VFR ! Not that I expect anyone to do it, but if I had owned the 300, I would have. |
#15
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DG-300 instrument panel
Hi Bill - As I understand it, the DG in question currently
has a fiberglass panel. Changing to aluminum would thus be a step backwards in safety. Lets be safe out there, Best Regards, Dave "YO" |
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