Aircraft Build Log: January 2007 Archives

This is the other alignment that is essential. The gap between the elevator and the trim tab must not be less than 1/8th of an inch.

I used a drill bit as a spacer to ensure that the gap met the criteria.

Here you can see that I've taped up the trim tab and placed it on the L/H elevator. I'm about to drill the final placement for the trim tab hinge to the L/H elevators trim tab spar. The key issues for this fixture are to ensure that the trailing edges of both pieces are aligned.

Here you can see the 2nd tab is bent over the 1st (lower skin) so that when the elevator is returned 'right side' up it's rain proof.
Tip: Have plenty of time, clamps, double sided tape, and follow the instructions perfectly and then it may, just may work.!!!

Here you can see that a small 'lolipop' stick is also placed under the 1st bent tab to protect the other tab from damage during the trimming operation. It was Jeremy that made the cut..... I was too nervous.

This L/H elevator build stage takes an enormous amount of work to this stage and I just did not want to cock it up!

This picture shows that the first bend appears to be going well. Approx 75dgr. over it's time to use a very low pressure on the rivet gun using a flat head. You can see some tape to protect the lower tab (top) as it's often the case that the bend may slightly cause a snagging.

This is removed by a cut off wheel.

This is a 'scare' moment in the build process. The elevator is upside down and I'm seen bending the lower tab down. This is so that the upper tab overlaps preventing ingress of water. That's if it all goes OK!

This is a view of the inboard right elevator rib combo. Note: I've deliberately offset the drill line. This is mentioned in the manual so as to allow the leadweights to sit properly away from the rivet line that will form the 'mass balance' of the elevators.

This is the stage towards elevator skin closure. I am going to use a 'newer' technique to avoid using pop rivets that are included in later plans than that of my kit.

This picture shows a much better alignment than I first acheived. I simple did not like my earlier attempt and ordered replacement parts accordingly.

View of replacement outboard elevator rib. Going through the Dril/deburr/dimple stages before eventual priming.