Oct 30, 2020     Work Begins! - (2 hours)       Category: 6 Vertical Stab

It is time to start working on the first major component of the airplane – the vertical stabilizer. The vertical stabilizer consists of 2 spars, 4 ribs, a couple of spar doublers, a handful of hinge brackets, and a single-piece skin. Compared to other components later in the build, this one is relatively simple. It is, however, the first step in the build; which adds some anxiety into the process.

A mistake on step one would be a huge setback, so I took time to study the plans to minimize the potential for a rookie error. The plans for this section contain a lot of information that isn't obvious the first time you flip through the pages. There is a lot of new language to learn (dimple flush aft???, match drill 1/4 the 1/8 hole???) as well as getting comfortable with the drawings. (BTW – the new language issues were solved by looking forward in the plans to section 11 to see how the vertical spar mated to the rest of the empennage).