More prep’ing for the removable floor panels - 9 hours

Nice big day in the garage. I've been thinking on how to secure the floors at the F-705 bulkhead. I see some have chosen to use flush #8 screws but I'm concerned with how narrow the F-705A flange is to accept the #8 screw. Its much more narrow than the seat and baggage ribs. I've decided to not dimple these and just use #8 round head screws. First step is to drill out the holes to a #19 hole. I cut a piece of MDF and filleted the edge with a router so it will nest nicely inside the F-705A bulkhead.

I began clamping and securing the MDF. I used clamps which will allow me to drill the web to use clecos.

I then installed clecos and removed the clamps.

With the clamps removed, I can setup up the bulkhead vertically so I can open the holes on the flange to #19.

One of the tricky holes is the very last hole at each end. Its too close for the 90deg drill, and I do not have a super long #19 drill bit. So I used a super long #30 drill bit and then used by round chainsaw file. Coincidentally my round chainsaw file makes holes about #21/#20 so I am super lucky.  


I started to prep all of the F-716 seat ribs for nut plates. I drew a centre reference line down the flange of all ribs. I then use a sacrificial nut plate with a #8 screw and alight the nutplate to the centre line.


 
Clamp one leg, ensure straight, drill opposite leg then cleco it. Remove the clamp and drill the remaining hole. Over, and Over again. By the end of the day all of the ribs have been drilled for removable floors.