Brief Description: Riveting Left Elevator and Building Trim Tab
I riveted the left elevator together. I remembered to put RTV on the end of the stiffeners. I also remembered to not rivet the top flange of the E-606PP trim spar so that I can install the trim tab hinge. So far so good. Next step was to finish building the trim tab. I have read so many horror stories about this that I have been a bit apprehensive of tackling it. I'll have to have Joe Tierney (EAA 1379 Tech Counselor) check it, but it seems to have been a non-event. I had completed the bends back in March and they came out fairly well. I clecoed everything together and matched drilled E-718 to the trim tab. I clamped the hinge to the top flange and marked the inboard edge for trimming on the bandsaw. I next drilled all of the remaining holes and disassembled the trim tab. The machine countersinking of the top of the trim tab spar could have been a bit better but it was acceptable. I trimmed the excess from the trim tab horns for the electric trim system. I broke out the Scotchbrite wheel and paint table and got everything cleaned up and primed. I clecoed everything back together and started riveting. Once the bottom flange was riveted I clamped the hinge to the upper flange of E-606PP and the aft edge of E-701-L. I lined up the trailing edges of the trim tab and elevator as well as the inboard edges. Everything got matched drilled and the inboard edge of the elevator skin got marked on the hinge. I removed the hinge and cut the excess off. I reclecoed the hinge to the elevator and lined everything up again. I pulled the hinge wire to separated the two halves and riveted the hinge to the trim tab and the forward half to the elevator. I need to order some blind rivets from Van's and I can finish the left elevator.
