The rudder starter kit from Zenith arrived today!!!! The rudder is the only major component of the aircraft that can be shipped UPS, so I decided to order it and get a start. The cost of the rudder starter kit is deductible from the cost of the complete kit, or the tail section component kit so there's no reason that you can't get started fast.
Zenith does a great packing job on the rudder kit. It arrived UPS in a wooden crate! The crate can be seen in the first couple rudder skeleton photos.( I actually built the skeleton on it!)
Image 1 : Rudder parts unpacked and inventoried. Everytihgs there, so lets get started.
Rudder spar doubler and ribs are measured and marked with drilling reference marks.
The main spar is pre-drilled at the factory making this process very easy.
Image 2 : Rudder spars and ribs are positioned, drilled, and clecoed in place. Alignment is checked and all are correct.
Image 3 : Skeleton is taken apart, de-burred, and prepped by scuffing with a scotchbright pad. The parts are then wiped down with denatured alcohol and then primed with zinc chromate to help prevent corosion.
