Three hatch jobs today.

While I’d glassed the gear into the sides now is the time to make a gap so the gear can flex without damaging the exit point.

This took about 30 minutes to make the gap and then another 150 minutes to get the tape out I had left in to protect the gear. My bad. There was a LOT of foam in the way.

Next up was to look at the scoop again.

Here I have re-cut the scoop slot for a good angle just below the bottom of the firewall.

After a flox corner I used 2 ply of BID to seal the scoop cutout. I made it a fraction oversized so I can position the scoop later without issue.

The hatch edges here have received a two ply BID layup 1.5″ wide. Once cured this will be strong enough for a hatch lip and fasteners. The original 2 ply layup would not be sufficient. I’ve left the rest bare as I will be cutting into it later when I mount the scoop.