Brief Description: Installed nav light mount ring in rudder cap
The fiberglass cap that closes in the bottom of the rudder is molded to accommodate a nav/strobe light for night flying. To make the light easily installed and removed, a mounting ring is permanently riveted to the fiberglass. The ring has two threaded holes for attaching a Whelen or compatible light. In my case, I have elected to install an LED position and strobe from AeroLeds.
The ring is attached with six CS4-4 blind rivets. There is very little surface for riveting and almost no clearance inside the cap for the expansion of the rivet. Five of the rivets were set with no problem but one cracked the gelcoat on the outside of the cap as the rivet expanded. Thankfully, the rivet is structurally sound and the blemish in the fiberglass is easily repaired.
The ring and light did not come with any screws so I will make a quick run to the local hardware store in the morning and pick up a couple stainless screws in the proper size. Once the light is attached, I will add a picture.
Oh, forgot to mention that a very small spacer had to be fabricated to extend the "nose" of the blind rivet tool down into the recess to reach the rivets. Maybe you can see in the picture how deep the rivets are recessed (about 3/16").
