Today I called Van’s about my edge distance issue and they suggested accepting some miss alignment in the hinges to get more edge distance. The logic is the bearings on the rudder are adjustable and will make up the difference. As it turns out to get the hinges aligned it took the VS from being exactly 90 degrees plumb. I set the VS to 90 degrees and test fit the rudder. I had to turn the middle bearing in one turn and the upper bearing out one turn and the rudder fit perfectly with no binding. I still was uncomfortable with the edge distance I had and made another call to Van’s. They said the lower edge distance was OK but to add 3 rivets above the bottom row for extra security. So I drilled all of the holes that attach the spar to the bracket, this is difficult without an angle drill due to clearance issues. I also drilled the 4 hours to #12 that attach the F884 bracket to the HS front spar. I then deburred and primed the bracket and spacer.
I still needed to rivet my autopilot servo bracket in place, so while the primer dried I completed this task. After the primer dried I bolted and clecoed the F884 bracket and spacer in place and riveted a few of the rivets I could get to, the plans say you can leave the hard to reach ones until after you remove the VS. The last thing I did today was to install the bearings on the L/R elevators and temporality hung them in place. I need to get a ¼” bushing so I can drill the hole that will mate up the elevator control horn and the V146 bearing. Just for fun I also hung the rudder, the tail looks huge!
VS nearly done
Auto pilot servo riveted in place
The plane will obviously have to leave the garage without its tail!
