Brief Description: Attached elevators to Horizontal Stabilizer
Started with the trim tab tonight. I lined up the trim tab to the left elevator and marked the first hole. I used 2 popsicle sticks as a spacer from the edge of the trim tab to the elevator on the left side. This seemed to work and the right edge is even with the right edge of the elevator. I removed the pin from the hinge, then clamped the half hinge in place on the trim spar. I measured along the spar to the edge of the hinge until all the measurements were the same, then drilled and clecoed. Before I riveted, I put the hinge pin back in to make sure the movement of the trim tab was smooth with no binding. Perfect..... I then squeezed trhe rivet in place and that was that. I then finally got to attached the elevators to the horizontal stabilizer. At last I get to see what this thing looks like.......I started with the right elevator. The mounting brackets on the HS are powder coated, so I had to drill out the holes to allow the bolt in. I then used a long needle nose pair of pliers to hold the bolt and feed it through the mounting bracket and the rod end bearing. I did the other one and checked the movement....perfect. I next needed to drill the pivot hole for the center connection to the elevator horn. I need a 1/4 bushing to use for a guide as a starter hole. I looked at what I have in the house, but could not find anything to use, so I will get the bushing at the hardware store tomorrow. Until then, I attached the left elevator to see what the hole thing looked like.....and it looks very cool! I will probably wait to attached the fiberglass ends to the empennage untill I get the wings done. I think I have one more work session and I will be done with the entire empennage!
Trim tab riveted to left elevator
Elevators attached to horizontal stabilizer (rear view)
Elevators attached to horizontal stabilizer (front view)
