2/20/2021 – 3.6 hours
Dimpling the internal structure pieces of the elevator has a few differences from some of the previous build dimpling tasks. First, some of the pieces, like the shear clip and the rear spar, are significantly thicker than skins and ribs. Dimpling the thicker pieces with the pneumatic squeezer was pretty conventional, and didn't present any problems. The other difference in this task was the hybrid approach to the left rear spar. The holes that mate to the trim tab hinge were countersunk, while the rest of the top and all of the bottom flange holes were dimpled. It is important to cleco the hinge in place beneath the spar flange to give the pilot some additional guidance and keep the countersink cutter from wallowing in the hole.
[Pneumatic Squeezer, 3/32” Reduced Diameter Dimple Die, Microstop Countersink Cage with 3/32” Countersink Cutter]