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Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
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Date: 5-8-2011
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Number of Hours: 4.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Vertical stab fitting
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Today was devoted to fitting the vertical stabilizer. This is one of those times where you take something you made years ago--in my case, many years ago--and see if everything fits the way it is supposed to. Of course there is the obligatory plans and builder's manual study where you read about things you should have waited to drill but you've already drilled...or, things that needed to be drilled during assembly, but weren't, and now there is no access for easy drilling. Things like that.
Two issues at the outset. The first was that I had installed the aft tiedown way back when I made the bulkhead, and unfortunately, drilled four holes that now have to be drilled blind through the vertical stabilizer aft spar. I think I have a plan to do this--it involves a lot of measuring and marking, but I'm pretty sure I can get the job done in a satisfactory manner.
The second issue is that I had predrilled the forward spar attach plate before I read that I had to trim 5/8" off of the forward spar. Here's a question--why? It would seem that this part could have been cut to the proper length during fabrication but instead we wait until we're ready to install the whole thing. Out with the saws, files, etc, and the spar was shortened appropriately. I checked the rivet spacing and I'm ok, but I'll have seven extra rivets attaching the plate to the spar.
I also fabricated the upper elevator stop which also serves as an attach point for the vertical stab, and still have a couple of spacers to make, but other than that I'm about ready to drill the assembly final and hang the rudder.
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Upper elevator stop in progress
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Vertical stab clamped in place
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Only two bolts are actually installed, but it's looking pretty good
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