Pietenpol-List: Cockpit modification
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2001 12:43 pm
Original Posted By: "Michael Brusilow"
A possible design change to give a little more room in the cockpit andimprove in and out access: Working on a GN-1 Aircamper with a Cont. C-85and a 2' wide interior width steel tubing fuselage, the thought occurredto me to join the tandem dual cockpit space as in a J-3 Cub, by removingthe turtle-back structure containing instruments, instrument panel, andaft windshield between the fore and aft cockpits, but retaining theflat, table like structure upon which this turtle-back feature rests.The instruments would then be mounted in the forward turtle-back panelfor visual use by both passenger (front seat) and pilot (rear seat) asin a J-3 Cub, thus requiring only one set of instruments located infront of the front cockpit. The pilot flying from the rear seat wouldstill be able to read the instruments as in a Cub. In addition therewould be only one plexiglass windshield to protect both pilot andpassenger from the slipstream. This windshield would wrap around theforward cabane struts, angling upwards and contacting the leading edgeof the wing center section. This would provide the only protection fromthe wind for the person (normally the pilot) in the rear seat. Wouldthis be sufficient protection? Also, what effect would this oversizedwindshield have on lift and drag. Would the increased drag be dangerousin flight? The hoped for advantage of such a set up would be a littlemore "living room" space, slightly easier access in and out of thecockpits, and moderate weight savings, as only one set of instrumentswould be required.I hope I'm not being presumptuous, especially since I only have aprivate license with an expired medical, total time about 150 hoursmostlu in J-3 Cubs, all over 50 years ago - rather poor credendials formaking such a suggestion. But like Corky, I live in beautiful Louisiana,land of the only honest politicians in the world. Cheers, Jim Cooper________________________________________________________________________________
A possible design change to give a little more room in the cockpit andimprove in and out access: Working on a GN-1 Aircamper with a Cont. C-85and a 2' wide interior width steel tubing fuselage, the thought occurredto me to join the tandem dual cockpit space as in a J-3 Cub, by removingthe turtle-back structure containing instruments, instrument panel, andaft windshield between the fore and aft cockpits, but retaining theflat, table like structure upon which this turtle-back feature rests.The instruments would then be mounted in the forward turtle-back panelfor visual use by both passenger (front seat) and pilot (rear seat) asin a J-3 Cub, thus requiring only one set of instruments located infront of the front cockpit. The pilot flying from the rear seat wouldstill be able to read the instruments as in a Cub. In addition therewould be only one plexiglass windshield to protect both pilot andpassenger from the slipstream. This windshield would wrap around theforward cabane struts, angling upwards and contacting the leading edgeof the wing center section. This would provide the only protection fromthe wind for the person (normally the pilot) in the rear seat. Wouldthis be sufficient protection? Also, what effect would this oversizedwindshield have on lift and drag. Would the increased drag be dangerousin flight? The hoped for advantage of such a set up would be a littlemore "living room" space, slightly easier access in and out of thecockpits, and moderate weight savings, as only one set of instrumentswould be required.I hope I'm not being presumptuous, especially since I only have aprivate license with an expired medical, total time about 150 hoursmostlu in J-3 Cubs, all over 50 years ago - rather poor credendials formaking such a suggestion. But like Corky, I live in beautiful Louisiana,land of the only honest politicians in the world. Cheers, Jim Cooper________________________________________________________________________________