I'm working on the cockpit openings for the Hatz Classic. The cockpit openings are different for the CB-1 and the Classic. More important here, the openings for the Classic for the front and rear seat are different.
It seems to me that the rear seat opening as shown on the plans is rather narrow along the front edge, where it seems that the rim would obscure visibility to some of the instruments in the panel. the front cockpit opening is even more restrictive to panel visibility, although arguably there are fewer instruments in the forward panel, and not as 'mission critical.'
I'm considering making the openings the same front and rear, and making them a bit wider at the front edge so they don't obscure the panel so much.
One note about the difference between the front and rear openings is that the front opening is wider, creating a lower threshold along the side for entry/egress. At least that is my speculation on why the designer made the front opening wider.
That consideration is not relevant to me, since I am putting entry doors in both front and rear.
What are your thoughts? do you find the as-designed openings functional? do you have to duck your head down to see some of the instruments under the rim of the opening? Do you sit so low in the cockpit that you can see under the rim without ducking your head down? (I'm 6'1" and I think my head is going to stick up higher than most folks).
It seems to me that the rear seat opening as shown on the plans is rather narrow along the front edge, where it seems that the rim would obscure visibility to some of the instruments in the panel. the front cockpit opening is even more restrictive to panel visibility, although arguably there are fewer instruments in the forward panel, and not as 'mission critical.'
I'm considering making the openings the same front and rear, and making them a bit wider at the front edge so they don't obscure the panel so much.
One note about the difference between the front and rear openings is that the front opening is wider, creating a lower threshold along the side for entry/egress. At least that is my speculation on why the designer made the front opening wider.
That consideration is not relevant to me, since I am putting entry doors in both front and rear.
What are your thoughts? do you find the as-designed openings functional? do you have to duck your head down to see some of the instruments under the rim of the opening? Do you sit so low in the cockpit that you can see under the rim without ducking your head down? (I'm 6'1" and I think my head is going to stick up higher than most folks).
