Thorp Air Command - T18.net

For those that made a false floor in your baggage area, what material did you use to make your false floor? Its seems like it would need to be fairly stiff so you could put 75-100 lbs onto it, and span from one side of the fuselage to the other. Maybe a support at the centerline longeron? I was thinking of the honeycomb material, but its about $300 from Spruce. Hopefully there is is less expensive alternative. Any photos would be nice. My flying T18 doesn't have a false floor, so no reference for me there.

Ryan, you are overthinking this one.

.025 alclad on 3/4 angles. Floor stiffeners mid point.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Mine is similar to Bobs example shown .. but my floors are 1/4 plywood. 2 pieces on each side split midway with a aluminum u at the overlap.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

thats perfect, thank you both. I was going way too complex. Thanks.

Hi Ryan,
Mine is made up of two sheets of 6061-T6, .025 The split is in the middle.
If you want measurements I can get them in the morning as the floor is out.
My airplane is a wide body.
Speedbird1

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N872DD
200hp Lycoming

I appreciate the offer, but no need now. I plan to copy you three and your installation.

Make sure each side is split otherwise you will not be able to remove them.
Cubes

Tried to maximize baggage area to include bulky items with a drop below the 1” angle longerons. Floor is .032” but fully supported with .025 ribs underneath - pretty lightweight. Demonstrated 80 lbs during ph1 flight tests for rearward cg. Flap motor is under the push pull tube... Les

Beautiful Les! Those are great photos. Pics are worth a 1000 words. Thank you.