Open cockpit edging

[Rob Swain]

I have a Stolp Starduster Too project on the go and I'm doing the tinwork around the cockpits.

I have cut the panels for the cockpit openings and currently have bare aluminium edges. This is obviously unacceptable from a safety point of view, but also for long term durability as well.
The 'Duster plans are somewhat light on details for such finishing.

How have people reinforced these edges, made them safe and also look properly finished?

[Ian Melville]

I had a look in Bingelis, Sportplane Construction Techniques and he just has pipe foam or rubber tube covered in leather trim

Will be interesting to hear what others have done.

[Bill McCarthy]

Google "metal edge protection strip" - there is a large selection of cross sections available. For holes in sheeting use grommets of the type used for electrical cables.

[Gerry Holland]

Rob
I used 15mm Hose piping, then 15mm pipe lagging around that. Split them both lengthwise and then made leather cover. That you can
'lace' or in my case I used eyelets and small nuts and bolts.
Photo at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pjolm2qq6ayd0 ... plane2.jpg
It's my Grandson at controls. Wish I was 55 years younger!
Regards
Gerry

[Rob Swain]

Does that improve the rigidity of the cockpit surround?

[Gerry Holland]

Rob
Yes it does improve rigidity a little but I used 0.040" for that area.
On an earlier aircraft of similar type I used 3mm Ply inside the panel and that did improve stiffness.
Gerry