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[PhilStubbs]

We are super slow, so I figured I would post a thread for this project.

These planes come with a built in parachute and it has to get replaced every 10 years.




Here is where it all started. 10 year old Cirrus sr22



Using measurements from the back window and the fuselage centerline, you drill a hole in the panel covering the parachute. Then put a dent puller in the hole and rip the panel off.



There is a parachute under there









Empty cavity for the parachute



New panel next to the old one. You can't reuse the old one. You do use the old one as a template to fit the new one though.

 

The dark spot in the top corner is a piece of aluminum sandwiched in the panel. There is basically a huge model rocket motor inside the cavity with the parachute. When you pull the handle, the rocket busts the panel off by hitting that aluminum part. Then the rocket continues up pulling the parachute out of the hole.



New panel after being cut on an upright bandsaw and sanded to fit the opening.




That's all for now. Going to lunch. I may or may not get it bonded back in today. We will see what pops up after lunch.

[92CXyD]

Awesome like fab stuff like this.
























Oh and before Stevo says it

DO WORK!!!!!!!!!   

[PhilStubbs]

Ok, time to bond the new panel on.

Aviation approved (joke) door gap sealer



It goes on the inside edge to make a channel for the adhesive to sit in. Also keeps the adhesive from getting on the parachute.



Sort of an after/before



Overview



Final look before closing it up for the next 10 years.... Or crash, which ever comes first



Adhesive kit. Biggest one is a structural powder to put in the resin for bonding, next size is resin and smallest is hardener. Pour all together and stir



Stir a lot.



Now spread in even with the foam tape, if its even with the outer surface that's nice too.



Ok, I lied, this is the last look before the panel goes on



Ok, panel on and held down with masking tape. Tomorrow it will get heated at 210°F for 4 hours.




One thing I forgot to mention is that you grind the old adhesive that's on the plane down to get a good solid bond, but the panel is left untouched. They don't want a very good bond to the panel so it will come off easily. Tomorrow I'll show the heat curing setup, then bodywork and paint.

[ratcityrex]

cool write up

[PhilStubbs]

So, after reading the entire Internet on my phone and playing a motocross game, I still had some time left so I set up the heat blanket. This is pretty basic compared to what we have to do for Cessna. For them we have a computer controlled heater with multiple probes and printer. It can ramp up at a certain rate, hold a while, ramp up more, cool down etc. it's cool, but not needed here.

We just use a multimeter with temp probe taped to the area where the adhesive is



Then put this blanket on. It has a thermostat in it, but no temp markings or anything. We just monitor with the multimeter and make adjustments as needed.



Then cover with a moving blanket to insulate and keep the temp steady rather than fluctuating as the heat blanket kicks on and off




I won't actually turn it on till tomorrow. I was just killing time setting it up. Phone battery is at 13% with 20min left in the day. Hope I make it.

[rawr]

Looks kinda fun. I do too much sciencey shit at my work. I wish it was more hands on.

[PhilStubbs]

It has its ups and downs. I'm usually so bored I want to gouge my eyes out, but sometimes I get fun stuff. This was more boring that fun. If I can find enough pics, ill post my custom led landing lights I made. That was fun

[highroller54]

Awesome like fab stuff like this.

this

[Passenger]

I want to get into planes so badly.

[PhilStubbs]

They can be a lot of fun. I enjoy flying when I can and some of the projects are fun. What kills me is the level of skill required for planes and the pay couldn't be more opposite from where they should be. I don't just mean that like we don't get paid enough either. The pay has dropped(not that it was very good to begin with) and the good techs have moved on. I work with a bunch of retards. It really disgusts me how it has turned into jiffy lube in comparison to where this shop was when I started there. That and a few other things has completely sucked the life out of me for the job. Most days I think I'd be just as happy sitting behind a desk. I don't know cause I have never had a job like that, but it seems that way.

[malichite]

I can second that.  I was building RVs (not motorhomes) for a while, then worked on a Paul Allen's warbird collection and I could barely survive.  For the stuff we were doing the pay was asinine.  I ended up switching career fields.  I absolutely miss working on airplanes though.  If I could still be building and working on RVs, I would be a happy camper.  Work looks awesome by the way.

[PhilStubbs]

Thanks. I should have a finished pic today. I decided Friday to take Monday off, so my dad probably painted it. I'll buff it out today and take a pic

[PhilStubbs]

Little update. Put primer on it yesterday and painted it today. It will get buffed out tomorrow and you will never know I was in there.

[malichite]

Nice work!  Dont remember, is the Cirrus all plastic?

[Passenger]

Man skydiving just makes me so much less nervous then going down with a plane with a chute deployed. Have you ever had to test this function?

[PhilStubbs]

i have never tested the chute. i have yet to hear of anyone actually using it in a real emergency either. we are just a service center though. the factory is in deluth MN

the cirrus is all fiberglass except for the carbon fiber doors. even the main landing gear is fiberglass. the nose gear is steel

[PhilStubbs]

All done. Gonna start a new thread today or tomorrow for a different project. It's a little more interesting for me to do.

[92CXyD]

Kool, keep this kind of stuff coming.