Brief Description: Preparation of elevator surfaces for bonding
Once assembled elevators must clear gap between lower and upper skin of the horizontal stab. In order to ensure this, horizontal stab was closed out first. Afterwards distance between lower and upper skins at hinge locations were recorded. From each measurement, four (4) mm were subtracted (produces 2 mm gap on each side), and these values were used to adjust fit between upper skins and lower skins,spars and ribs. Contact surfaces were trimmed and abraded as required until required measurements were achieved. During dry fitting, elevator skins were held in place with clecos and clamps.
Vent holes through spars and ribs were drilled in factory.
Also, thin strip of clark foam was bonded in T/E areas of the elevators as shown in pictures. Purpose of these is to stop adhesive from being squeezed from bonding area.
In order to ensure elevators are set at the same plane, they had to be connected with travel pitch horn and closed-out together at the same time.
