Posted for Bill Hogarty <billhogarty@direcway.com>:

To whoever is asking the questions about sidepanels:

I made a cutout in the rear side panels for the rear seatbelts.  Since the
rear seat cushion is taller than the cutout. the cutout is not noticable.  I
did reverse the belts, so that one belt will stretch accross the entire
backseat ( for your wifes suitcases.)

The side panels are constructed per the manual;.  they do drop almost
straight down from the armrests and they butt up against the aileron
actuator boxes ( which had to be trimmed a little to remove a little of the
slope).  It was a compromise.

BTW, I put the seatbelt inertia reels down low just in front of the aileron
actuator boxes.  The belts run thru the sidepanels up to the sholder harness
attach points per the manual.  The aileron actuator boxes had to be trimmed
a little to allow the belts to run free accross them.   I strongly recommend
the inertia reels.

I used many L-brackets with nutplates and only smashed a few due to
carelessness even tho I knew exactly where they were.  When the upholsterer
got to the plane, he did in many of the surviving  ones.  He made a point
that the floor mats and seat cushions held the side panels in so tight
against the supports, that I shouldnt have to replace them (the ones he
broke) until my next annual.  Since he was charging by the hour, I agreed
with him
 The only other suggestion I can come up with right now is to add supports
to the top of the instrument panel.  I fitted three pieces of 1/4 in
aluminum rod.  Flattened the ends and drilled holes to attach the fwd end to
the chicken plates behind the firewall ;  and the rear end of the rod to the
bottom of the flange on top of the instrument panel.  Makes for a real solid
panel.  Happy building,,,    Bill Hogarty


[Thanks, Bill.... that was me asking about the side panels.  Your comments are very helpful and appreciated.  We'll post some photos once we get this part sorted out.

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