On Sep 12, 4:36*am, jan olieslagers
wrote:
What is the typical material for an instrument panel?
Soft steel sheet, I should think? What thickness?

Have I understood some designs have the panel as
an integral part of the fuselage, contributing
to its strength/stiffness?
But that would be fibre (epoxy/carbon) planes, no?

TIA,

Steel is heavy and will totally screw up your compass. Also a
pain to cut instrument holes into. As another has recommended, 6061T6
is probably the best, but maybe .050" thick. Too thin and you'll have
to start riveting angles to the back to stiffen it. Too hard (2024)
and it'll crack. Too soft (5052) and it's gummy to work with and bends
far too easily.
What do the drawings call for? In many airplanes the panel
is a part of the primary structure, and making substitutions isn't
wise.

Dan