Empennage October Updates
October 11, 2004
Started on the Elevators

While the rudder trailing edge is curing I started on the stiffeners for the elevators. The book says to start on the right side as the left side has the trim tab. I am using the electric trim kit so I have to install a servo in the left elevator.

The epoxy has cured. I installed rivets in the rudder trailing edge. I used tape to hold them in place so I could use the backrivet plate to do a double flush head from the shop head side. I started out setting every 10th rivet half way. Then every 5th and then every other one. Then I final set each one. The edge came out good and straight. Next I used a 3/4 inch piece of PVC pipe to precurl the rudder leading edge. After the precurl I used pop rivets to close up the leading edge. RUDDER COMPLETE..... Can you believe how big that rudder is. It is 24 inches wide at the bottom and 12 at the top.
Time to move on to the elevators!

Continued on with work on stiffeners for right and left elevator. I clecoed to the skins and final drilled all holes with #40 bit. Removed stiffeners and started the deburr process.

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.