Drilled Canopy Side Skirts

I laid out the holes for one of the side skirts, them clamped them together and drilled both at the same time.  The plans show a uniform spacing for each row, but because the rivets are angled back at the aft end to follow the angle of the canopy frame, the plans show a slightly wider spacing for the upper row of rivets.  Instead, I laid out all of the rivets on a 1.5" spacing except for the aft pair in the upper row which are about 1.7" apart.  I also spent a little time trying to plan how I would fabricate the lift handle.  I'm leaning towards cutting a slot in the side frame and skirt and installing the angle from the inside.