Panel systems and methods for helicopters

A configured panel assembly configured for a particular helicopter configuration of a helicopter airframe configurable in one of a plurality of helicopter configurations, the configured panel assembly comprising:

• a skin panel configured to define a brace region and an accessory region, where the brace region and the accessory region are located relative to the skin panel based on operational characteristics of the particular helicopter configuration;
• a brace assembly operatively connected to the skin panel within the brace region of the skin panel, the brace assembly comprising:
• first and second main members each defining an outer main member portion, a spacer main member portion, and an inner main member portion, where the spacer main member portion is arranged between the outer main member portion and the inner main member portion,
• a plurality of cross members each defining a first cross member portion, a second cross member portion, and a third cross member portion, where the second cross member portion is arranged between the first cross member portion and the third cross member portion,
• a plurality of end plate members, and
• a plurality of end brace members;
• and
• at least one accessory adapted to be supported relative to the helicopter airframe in the particular helicopter configuration;
• wherein
• the outer main member portions of the first and second main members are riveted to the skin panel within at least a portion of the brace region such that the inner main member portion of the first main member and the inner main member portion of the second main member extend toward each other;
• the first cross member portions of the plurality of cross members are riveted to the skin panel within at least a portion of the brace region such that portions of an upper surface of each of the third cross member portions is in contact with a portion of a lower surface of one of the inner main member portions;
• lower surfaces of each of the end plate members are in contact with the upper surface of one of the third cross member portions;
• a lower surface of each of the end brace members is
• in contact with an upper surface of one of the inner main member portions and an upper surface of one of the end plate members, and
• a plurality of rivets is arranged such that
• at least one rivet extends through at least one of the brace members, the inner main member portion of one of the first and second main members, and the third cross member portion of one of the plurality of cross members, and
• at least one rivet extends through at least one of the brace members, one of the end plate members, and the third cross member portion of one of the cross members.

A configured panel assembly configured for a particular helicopter configuration of a helicopter airframe configurable in one of a plurality of helicopter configurations, the configured panel assembly comprising:

• a metal skin panel configured to define a brace region and an accessory region, where the brace region and the accessory region are located relative to the skin panel based on operational characteristics of the particular helicopter configuration;
• a brace assembly operatively connected to the skin panel within the brace region of the skin panel, the brace assembly comprising:
• first and second metal main members each defining an outer main member portion, a spacer main member portion, and an inner main member portion, where the spacer main member portion is arranged between the outer main member portion and the inner main member portion,
• a plurality of metal cross members each defining a first cross member portion, a second cross member portion, and a third cross member portion, where the second cross member portion is arranged between the first cross member portion and the third cross member portion,
• a plurality of metal end brace members, and
• a plurality of end plate members;
• and
• at least one accessory to be supported relative to the helicopter airframe in the particular helicopter configuration;
• wherein
• the outer main member portions of the first and second main members are riveted to the skin panel within at least a portion of the brace region;
• the first cross member portions of the plurality of cross members are riveted to the skin panel within at least a portion of the brace region such that portions of an upper surface of each of the third cross member portions are in contact with a portion of a lower surface of one of the inner main member portions;
• each end brace member is in contact with one of the inner main member portions and one end plate member, and
• a plurality of rivets is arranged such that
• at least one rivet extends through at least one of the brace members, the inner main member portion of one of the first and second main members, and the third cross member portion of one of the plurality of cross members, and
• at least one rivet extends through at least one of the brace members, one of the end plate members, and the third cross member portion of one of the cross members.