The gap under the lower portion of the horizontal stabilizer is fitted with aluminum gap fairings and a rubber seal. I deburred these, match-drilled the aft holes, and cut the rubber seals to length. I didn’t have a 3/32″ strap… Read More »Empennage Intersection Fairing
I’ll be using Aerosun Vxi wingtips which have rear facing nav lights so I do not need the rudder-mounted nav light. This allows me to save an extra wire run and remove some aft weight. I removed the lobes from… Read More »Rudder Fairings
The tip fairings provided are open at the aft end and these openings are closed by the builder. I chose to approach this differently than described in the plans to minimize the amount of filling and shaping that would be… Read More »Horizontal Stabilizer Tip Fairings
Now that I’m comfortable with sheet metal, it is time to go back to square one and learn a new set of skills. I completed a single fiberglass workshop at Oshkosh but I otherwise have very limited experience with fiberglass.… Read More »Empennage Fairings
Shims are required to position the forward edge of the horizontal stabilizer. I rough cut them on the band saw and shaped them on the disc sander. I then used VHB tape to attach the shims to the stabilizer to… Read More »Stabilizers, Elevators, and Rudder Mounted
Next up was drilling the holes in the elevator horns that set the final position and alignment of the elevators. The hole through the bearing was simple enough to drill with the provided drill bushing. I ran the elevator through… Read More »Elevator Horns Drilled
I have decided to fit the tail feathers for the first time so I rearranged my workshop today to make more room for the airplane. It was also a good chance to tidy things up. I fetched the horizontal stabilizer… Read More »Elevator Fitting
I had previously purchased a RAMI AV-520 antenna to attach to the top of the vertical stabilizer and decided that it was time to get it fitted. I first drilled angled holes through the stabilizer skin/flange for the antenna rods… Read More »Nav Antenna
Service bulletin 00002 was issued shortly after I had finished building the vertical stabilizer. I have had the parts on hand for a while. Removing the old bracket was a quick task. I then riveted the lower holes that are… Read More »SB-00002 (Bottom Rudder Hinge Bracket Replacement)
I created a rack to hang the tailcone from the ceiling to get it out of the way while I work on the fuselage. Larry DePute, our local EAA Technical Counselor stopped by on Thursday to take a look at… Read More »Tailcone Storage Rack