External Antenna Doubler

[ingenieroe]

I am designing an external doubler for an antenna in an unpressurized section of fuselage. I am struggling to find good resources on the matter. I am using AC43.13 as the main driver at the moment but I need more guidance.

At the moment I have the plate bonded to a single panel using a perimeter of rivets following edge distance, rivet pitch, and plate thickness as described by 43.13

I am considering having the doubler span more than one panel/bay because of grounding plane requirements and the single panel where the antenna could be is asymmetrical. However, from what I have read, this approach can increase the complexity of the design process due to the way the load is distributed. I'd like to know more about this.

What kind of testing/verification is required for a modification of this nature?

Any advice or pointers would be very helpful and appreciated.

 

[dcascap]

Which type of antenna is it? Is it a blade?

 

[WKTaylor]

Also, there are many other important considerations regarding antenna install to consider... not just structural.

Drag, interference, vibrations, aircraft dive speed, abuse loads [impacts, handling, etc], etc...

Clearance, electrical/electronic interference with other antennas and electrical equipment... wire/cable mounting/routing, etc

Static, lightning, bonding-grounding, weather sealing, corrosion protection, etc...

Size/mass/aero effect [flow] mounting on flat/curved surfaces... and adjacent substructure? Any significant structural deflections to deal with [localized, primary structure component].

 

[rb1957]

oh dear ... lots to consider.

as above, also damage tolerance (inspection of the fuselage skin under the doubler), repair of presumably existing rivet CSKs, ...

I don't think (but then not really my area) that the doubler needs to extend as the ground plane ... won't the fuselage skin do that ?
But maybe you need un-primed skin for the ground plane ? (then extending the dblr makes some sense)
Or maybe you need a different surface flat (normal to your antenna) rather than round ??

But first, who is approving this (for certification). Best get their buy-in early !

 

[SWComposites]

what aircraft model?
part 23? 25? other?
approval by what regulatory agency?