My PT40 trainer has a screw attached hatch cover for the fuel tank compartment. I'm concerned that 1) over time, the screw holes in the firewall will become enlarged and no longer hold the screws, and 2) dealing with the small screws at the field could be a nuisance. Are there other ways to secure the hatch? I've thought about body pins, like the RC cars use. Any other ideas?

With the screw out, put some thin CA in the hole to harden the threads. The screw will hole. You won't be opening that hatch very often anyway. We have trainers at out club that have been around for years without any problems with the hatch screw.

Rich

You can cut a short 1/8" piece of nyrod - glue into enlarged hole - insert the original screw. Have not had one back out. Works good for cowls and hatches.

A radio shack magnet glued flush where the screw would go, and a small washer in the hatch, would hold it in place. I'd do something like dowel it, to maintain sideways alignment.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

Thanks for the suggestions. It sounds like it's not as big a problem as I anticipated. At least now I know what to do if the screws strip out.