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Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
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Date:  4-16-2011
Number of Hours:  2.50
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Drilled elevator horns

After another short break to work on the house, I got out to the hangar early this morning and started to work on the elevators. The elevators pivot around a central attach point that is drilled through the main hinge bearing, and the builder's manual calls for a small bushing to go through that bearing to guide the drill and protect the bearing. The quote goes something like "any old 1/4" OD metal tubing will do." True, as long as you just have some lying around...I didn't. So, I purchased a small spring pin from Lowe's to get the job done.

A little Boelube, tap the bushing in place, and I was ready to drill. I started with a 1/8" bit and enlarged to final size once the elevator was off the horizontal stab. Then I switched sides and did the whole process over on the right side.

Next, the lower holes that serve to connect the elevators together. In the F-15 we had split stabs...guess that wouldn't work so well in and RV. The technique here is to drill one side (the aftmost side according to the manual) and then use a pre-made drill block to match drill the other side. The pictures show the job in progress. Only problem was the manual doesn't say "look for the aftmost AND the highest". As a result, the right side missed edge distance by a little too much, and although I could probably get by with it, I will get some 4130 steel and fabricate a doubler just to be sure.

Four holes, over two hours of work...this of course includes fabricating drill blocks, taking each elevator off and putting it back on at least three times, etc. And, until the doubler is made and installed, the job isn't really finished.
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Bushing in place to drill pivot hole

Bushing in place to drill pivot hole

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Drilling lower hole

Drilling lower hole

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Match drilling right side

Match drilling right side

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