Empennage October Updates
October 10, 2004
Prep of Rudder Frame and Skins

Dimpled the right rudder skin. Continued with riveting the rudder frame. These parts fit together nicely. Van's really has this prepunched process down. I can't imagine how you did this before.

While I was dimpling the right skin I had the rudder frame sitting on the bench behind me. I hear a loud bang..... I look to see what fell on the floor.... O SHI&*. Its the front rudder spar assembly with the lead counter weight and skin attached. &%$^#$$*! Already a ding and way away from flying!

O well.... what can I do now. I Riveted rudder skins to frame. I did not have any proseal so opted for the slow cure epoxy method. I mixed up the epoxy and applied to the meet points of the rudder stiffeners. Also applied it to the trailing edge wedge. I cleaned out all rivet holes and clecoed every 5 rivets and set aside to cure.


This website was built to document my work in compliance with the FAA requirements needed to certify my aircraft.
My experiences and comments are by no means to be considered as instructions on how to build any aircraft.