Mid Fuselage
The mid fuselage consists of the structural elements from the bulkhead behind the cabin to the bulkhead behind the baggage compartment, and from the bottom skin to the top of the baggage compartment. It houses the fuel storage, baggage compartment, and flight controls tunnel. It has the components that follow:
The mid fuselage is a composite and aluminum assembly. The flight controls tunnel, located at the front, houses the main rotor control tubes, its two side walls serve as principal load bearing elements, linking the forward end of the truss assembly with the two keel beams. The baggage compartment door is attached to it to make it a weather tight area for cargo and baggage. The fuel storage is located below the baggage compartment and also to the left of the flight controls tunnel. The fuel filler access door is attached to the left to protect the fuel filler port and the tank drain. It has the components that follow.
Mid fuselage belly skin
The Mid Fuselage Belly Skin is a carbon fiber composite panel which is permanently attached under the mid fuselage / fuel / baggage bay portion of the aircraft between the passenger cabin and aft body panels. It supports the fuel bag primarily, as well as provides aerodynamic shape, structural integrity and lightning strike protection for the fuel bag to the mid fuselage structure. It has three removable panels which provide access to the controls tunnel components and various systems routing on either side of the aircraft. This panel has special limitations to damage, paint thickness and the application of decals (each referred to as an organic coating). Structural performance and lightning strike protection may be affected if the limitations are not respected.
Left mid-belly access panel
The left mid-belly access panel is made of aluminum alloy. It protects and gives access to the mid fuselage internal components, and provides the aerodynamic shape and structural integrity of the fuselage. It is located on the bottom on the left side of the mid fuselage and is attached to the structure with screws.
Right mid-belly access panel
The right mid-belly access panel is made of aluminum alloy. It protects and gives access to the mid fuselage internal components, and provides the aerodynamic shape and structural integrity of the fuselage. It is located on the bottom on the right side in the middle of the mid fuselage and is attached to the structure with screws.
Mid-left mid-fuselage access panel
The mid-left mid-fuselage access panel is an assembly of an aluminum alloy skin reinforced with three stiffeners. It protects and gives access to the baggage compartment and the fuel tank, and provides the aerodynamic shape and structural integrity of the fuselage. It is located on the left side in the middle of the mid fuselage and is attached to the structure with screws.
Baggage compartment floor
The baggage compartment floor is a composite panel assembly. It is located on the bottom of the baggage compartment. It is attached to the structure with screws and gives access to the fuel tank. It has nine footman loops mounted on it that permit to secure the cargo and baggage during the flight.
Control-tunnel access panel
The control-tunnel access panel is made of aluminum alloy. It is located on the bottom in the middle forward end of the mid fuselage. It is attached to the structure with screws and gives access to the flight controls tunnel.
Baggage compartment panel
The baggage compartment panel is a composite panel assembly. It is located on the bottom of the baggage compartment at the right front end. It is attached to the structure with screws and gives access to the fuel tank. It has on footman loop mounted on it that permits to secure the cargo and baggage during the flight.
Foam packings fuel compartment
The foam packings fuel compartment are made of separate pieces of foam. They are located around the fuel tank, in the fuel cell compartment. They protect the fuel tank from unwanted movements during flight. They also hold the fuel tank in the best position to maximise the flow of fuel during operation.
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