Brief Description: Stabilator Tip fitting Note to builders
Note to other builders: I discovered after cutting out my tail tips that they did not fit with the trailing edge aligned with the trailing edge of the ruddervators. So I now have to trim material all around the open end of the tips to get a better fit.
Note to Sonex: You should provide a note in the plans or in the plan change list that warns builders of the possibility/probability that the tail tips need to be trimed before they are cut to shape as per the plans. Perhaps even prvide some practicle guidance of how you could measure the tips to determine how much to trim off.
Process I should have used: Temporarily install the Ruddervator one hinge pin short of the the correct location. This will allow you to manually fit the Stabilator Tip which will show you how much oversized it is. Then trim the Tip by shaving of a small amount of material evenly around the open side of the tip. This may be a trial and error process,Take a small amount off and test fit until you get it to where the tim is aligned with the tip of the Ruddervstor. Once done you can then mark and cut the tip as shown in the plans (page WIX-T09 -03).
I spent a lot of time thinking about this issue, researching other builder logs and in getting technical support from Sonex by email. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tue 6/21/2016 9:10 AM Sonex Tech Support Hi Jake,
To make it shorter in length you need to trim it shorter in height. Remove material from the open portion of the tips, not the portions that are visible when the tips are installed.
Blue Skies....
Kerry
Sonex Aircraft Tech Support ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ On 6/21/16 7:40 AM, "Jake LaBello" wrote: When fitting my tail tips they are about ¼ inch too long. I know you say they can be trimmed to fit, but if I trim ¼ inch off back end then the cut will go into the opening. Advice
Not what you want - Tip should have been trimmed befor cuting out
