Vans RV12 Build Log
Empennage
Everything Rearward of the Baggage Compartment/ Sub-Kit 1 of 6
Rudder Complete3/23/2018 With the Stabilator on hold due to waiting on 470 rivets from Vans and now with the backorder parts in hand time to finish up the rudder. First off was to complete the hinge brackets for the vertical stabilizer. Got the bearings inserted into the brackets and riveted up. Took the rudder spar assembly upstairs to fit to the vertical stabilizer. You have to do this before assembling the rudder to determine the size and amount of washers needed so the hinge brackets on the VS line up perfectly with the rudder assembly. Probably one of the most tedious things thus far. It take some ingenuity to fit the washers into the tiny gap on the hinges. I ended up using a piece of scotch tape to hold the washer in place then slide the bolt through which broke the tape and allowed me to pull it apart in two pieces leaving nothing behind. I ended up needing 2 10L washers on the top bracket assembly and 1 10L and 1 10 washer on the bottom assembly for it to fit right. After all that sorted out the rest of the build went fairly quickly as I already all of the ribs deburred and prepped. I did make a boo boo when I attempted to rivet the first rib to the rudder spar. I guess my pneumatic riveter was bending the rib backwards pulling the rib cap away from the spar so when I riveted the cap is wasn't sitting flush. When drilling out the rivet I messed up the hole, so that was an easy fix. I needed one rib with the cap cut off so I had my candidate. Everything else was riveted up without further issue and we are one step closer to controlled flight! Going to start prepping the skins for the tailcone assembly.
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January 2019
Empennage Total Build Hours: 82.24
Inventory: 1.45 Vertical Stabilizer: 13.26 Rudder: 7.5 Anti-Servo Tabs: 4:30 Stabilator: 24.11 Tailcone: 30.42 |