Eric Clutton contacted me recently about a modification which he has made to the original FRED, an entry/exit to make it easier to climb in and out of the cockpit.  I have collected Eric’s comments from multiple e-mails below:

“I have put an access door in one side of FRED and drawings are available to FRED builders for cost of postage.  You can now SLIDE in instead of CLIMB in!  I even got this modification past the high and mighty in the UK.  The door is not strictly necessary until you have trouble physically getting your leg over.

“I do not advise [adding the door] unless the fuselage is structurally complete otherwise the two sides will bend differently on assembly.  Also the door cut-out should only be made in a completed fuselage because the two sides when separate would bend differently, resulting in a ‘banana’ fuselage!

“Also the original ‘long stroke’ gear must be used (no substituting a more rigid gear).   I am a bit concerned that some guys might incorporate [this modification] while using a stiffer gear than the regular soft sprung one because it does weaken the fuselage to the point where it would break at that point in a crash (not a heavy landing).

“I get away with the big cut-out largely because of FRED’s soft sprung gear with about 4” stroke so there is no sudden CRUNCH even on a hard landing, although I deliberately bounced poor old FRED the length of our 5000-foot runway in November to test it!  The extra structure added before making the cut-out is essential of course.”

Eric adds in his usual mischievous fashion, “I have made a point of taxying past the FBO, etc. here with the door open and the ‘handicap’ sign showing.”

Eric is happy to send the single, letter-size drawing of this modification to plans owners for the cost of postage.  A self-addressed, stamped envelope (if you live in the USA) or a self-addressed envelope and one U.S. dollar cash (if you live outside the USA) should do fine.

Photo:  N4499Y shows off the new entry/exit door.  Courtesy of Eric Clutton.