<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>
I just laid up the "3-BID lip" holding the forward edge of the seat pans to
the forward spar on my 360.  I use the term in quotes because I did it a
little differently than the manual, in an attempt to forestall the peel
failures experienced by Ric Argente and others.  

The manual calls for a 3-BID layup from the forward face of the forward spar,
over a foam-and-micro spacer/adapter, proceeding aft onto the seat pan itself
(which is covered with release tape).  The failure modes experienced by at
least two people are debonding of the 3-BID from the forward face of the
spar, presumably in a peeling failure.  Repair is reportedly simple and
efective by bonding the lip back in place with Hysol.

To preclude this failure mode, I used a pair of 2-BID layups done at the same
time and co-cured.  With the spacer/adapter in place (per the manual, except
I used prepreg instead of foam) and the micro fully cured and sanded, I made
a 2-2.5 inch 2-BID which went on top of the spacer, but under the seat pan
for about 1 inch, and laid the pan in place.  The part of the 2-BID that
extended forward was then folded back atop the seat pan, forming a pocket for
the seat pan.  While still wet, I laid a wider 2-BID from the forward face of
the spar up onto the micro and aft onto the seat pan, covering the 2-BID just
applied.  I brushed a little liquid epoxy into the "crotch" where the 2-BIDs
meet in hopes of minimizing air bubbles.

The end result is a 4-BID lip, with the 2 inner plies tucking under the seat
pan and the 2 outer plies running down onto the forward face of the spar.  
This should prevent the peel failure mode.

I'll let you know how well it works in a few years....

- Rob Wolf
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>