Firewall fabrication
Hours: 3.5 | Posted in BulkheadsSpent a few hours before work today in the shop, and completed fabrication of the various angles and doublers that are needed in the firewall assembly. There’s some pretty hefty angle to chop up in this step. I may try to get components done up through the bulkheads, and then have one big priming session…though the progress of riveting something, like the firewall, would be a good motivator.
Working with the firewall has me contemplating the recent thread on VAF about firewall insulation; one of the guys is a proponent of engine-side insulation to protect the aluminum components, but I wonder if it’s really necessary–how many RV’s have had in-flight engine fires, and of those who have, how many were hot & long enough to melt the aluminum rivets and cause the firewall assembly to fail? Before this most recent thread twist, I was thinking of using the ceramic sheets/blankets with some sort of tabs or sheets to hold them in place, on the cabin side, since a flame-thrower test showed that solution to be effective for occupant protection. Some anecdotes also suggest not insulating the FW at all, since the heat from normal ops helps heat the cabin in cooler climates. What do production aircraft do? Much to ponder.
