Connector to connect a center wing box to a bulkhead of an aircraft

A connector to connect a center wing box to a bulkhead of an aircraft, the connector comprising:

• a panel sized to extend across a gap formed between the center wing box and the bulkhead, the panel comprising:
• a central section sized to extend across the gap, the central section comprising a first edge and an opposing second edge;
• a first flange pivotally connected to the first edge at a first flexible seal, the first flange configured to be connected to the center wing box;
• a second flange pivotally connected to the second edge at a second flexible seal, the second flange configured to be connected to the bulkhead;
• a first support mounted to the center wing box and to a first side of the central section;
• and
• a second support mounted to the bulkhead and to a second side of the central section.

A method of connecting a center wing box to a bulkhead of an aircraft, the method comprising:

• attaching a first flange of a panel to the center wing box;
• attaching a second flange of the panel to the bulkhead;
• positioning a central section of the panel along a gap formed between the center wing box and the bulkhead;
• aligning a first flexible seal that connects the first flange to the central section along the center wing box;
• aligning a second flexible seal that connects the second flange to the central section along the bulkhead;
• attaching a plurality of first stiffener arms across a width of the panel with each of the first stiffener arms mounted to the center wing box and the central section;
• and
• attaching a plurality of second stiffener arms across the width of the panel with each of the second stiffener arms mounted to the bulkhead and the central section.