Jan 09, 2024     Elevator final install - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

After completing the service bulletin on the elevators, I was able to complete the final installation of the elevators.

  Jan 07, 2024     SB-00043 - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

Completed the SB-00043 on the elevators today.

  Jan 07, 2024     Tail final assembly - (8 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today, with the plane in the hangar now, I completed final installation of the HS, VS, and rudder. I also came home and built cradles to do SB-00043 on the elevators. I'll do the SB with my friend Jim Roman so we can do both of ours together.

  Aug 13, 2023     Rudder - (8 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today I finished the rudder by painting the red stripes on it. I also filled the pinholes in the wheel pants and prepped them for primer.

  May 25, 2023     Fairing - (5 hours)       Category: Empennage

Yesterday I worked on fitting the empennage fairing and today I picked up the side panels for the interior. I got some extra leather from Classic Aero to cover the arm rest on the center console.

  Jun 03, 2022     Rudder Bottom Fairing - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

The replacement rudder fairing arrived from Vans today, so I got to work on it. It's all trimmed, the nut plates installed, and the light doubler is installed. I'm just waiting on epoxy to cure so I can complete the modification for the tailwheel tomorrow. That will be the last of the empennage kit and then I'll take a week off while I do my annual training in Dallas.

  Jun 02, 2022     Rotisserie Prep - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

I finished the last of the fairings (except the bottom rudder...I screwed that one up and I'm waiting on a new one from Vans), and then went to work prepping for a rotisserie setup. I bought an engine mount from Summit Racing and I assembled that. To mount the fuselage, I cut a pice of 18mm Baltic Birch plywood to fit the engine mount holes and then built up a mount from more plywood, glue, and screws. It turned out well...snug and sturdy and I can adjust the height if needed.
I'll be ready to join the fuselage sections soon. All I have left to do first is to mount the autopilot servos (pitch and yaw). Those parts should arrive next week while I'm in Dallas for training.

  May 27, 2022     Fairings - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

Finishing up the last of the empennage before I move on to the QB fuselage. I've done the fairings on the rudder and elevators and have fit and trimmed the ones on the VS and HS. I'm just waiting on the epoxy to cure on the close out panels and I should finish them tomorrow.

  May 26, 2022     HS Rear Spar - (9 hours)       Category: Empennage

When I paused my build several months ago, I had stopped because I discovered a major error I made earlier. When I built my horizontal stabilizer, I somehow got the rear spar in upside down. When I went to install the spar I discovered the problem. I was reluctant to drill out all of the rivets because of the possibility of causing damage in the process. I consulted with the engineers at Vans and they said I could flip the stabilizer over, drill new mounting holes, and put bolts the old holes. That was my plan, but I was uncomfortable with making my mistake permanent. This morning I decided to fix it the hard way by carefully drilling out 228 rivets and riveting it in the correct way...that took about 4 hours. After that, I was able to finish the installation of the empennage components. Now, it's on to the fairings since it's finally warm enough for the epoxy to cure!

  Mar 03, 2022     Update Category: Empennage

Nothing new to report. The only thing left on the tail kit is the fiberglass and it's too cold for epoxy to cure properly. I expect to complete the tail in the spring. Fuselage QB should be here in May (hopefully), followed by the QB wings a few months later.

  Sep 14, 2021     Elevator Attach/adjust - (8 hours)       Category: Empennage

Over the last few days, I've rolled the elevator leading edges, inserted the eye bolts in the elevators, and attached the elevators. I then had to remove the elevators and make some adjustments to both the leading edges and eye bolts and then reattach them. They now move freely with no rubbing or clearance issues. I removed the left one and drilled the whole for the center bearing and then swapped and drilled the other. Finally, I reattached them both and drilled the holes on the bottom of the horns for the push rod.

  Aug 29, 2021     More aft fuselage riveting - (5 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today I finished all of the upper aft fuselage that I can rivet myself. I'll need help for the last of the rivets on the top, so that'll have to wait until tomorrow.

  Aug 25, 2021     Top of Aft Fuselage - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today I did all the prep (deburr, dimple, and prime) the top half of the aft fuselage. I got the right side clecoed on and started riveting.

  Aug 24, 2021     Restart - (7 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today I finally got restarted on the project after moving 600 miles. It took a while to get moved in and set up my shop. I also waited until I finished my interior refurbishment on my Piper Archer. I riveted the aft deck on the aft fuselage and mounted and match drilled the hole for the vertical stabilizer.

  Jul 01, 2021     On Hold Category: Empennage

My project is on hold for a while...I moved to another state and need to set up my workspace. I don't expect the next kits until the end of the year, so I have plenty of time to finish the tail kit.

  Feb 26, 2021     Aft fuselage - (5 hours)       Category: Empennage

I finished riveting the sides and bottom of the aft fuselage and installed the nutplates.

  Feb 24, 2021     Aft Fuselage - (15 hours)       Category: Empennage

In the past two days, I got some of the wiring in and started riveting it all together. I have the right side completed and most of the left side done.

  Feb 21, 2021     Aft Fuselage - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

I did more work pan the aft fuselage. The bottom skin is riveted together and I've been prepping and fitting the other stiffness and side skins. It's all going together pretty well and I should start riveting it together tomorrow

  Feb 12, 2021     Aft Fuselage - (7 hours)       Category: Empennage

Continued work on the aft fuselage. Mostly prepping parts and some assembly of the bulkheads.

  Feb 11, 2021     Elevators/aft fuselage - (16 hours)       Category: Empennage

I've been working (flying) a lot in the past few weeks and have only got a few hours here and there lately. I received the replacement skin for the left elevator and caught the left up with the right. The only thing left now for the elevators is rolling the leading edge, which I'm saving for next week. While waiting on the skin, I started on the aft fuselage. Mostly fitting, demurring and priming parts.

  Jan 19, 2021     Elevators - (30 hours)       Category: Empennage

It's been a few weeks since I've updated this log. In that time I've worked a little here and there for about 30 hours. I've completed the trim tab. I have the right elevator ready to rivet the trailing edge once the sealant cures in another day or so, then I'll just have to roll the leading edge. I managed to damage one of the left skins beyond repair, so I had to order a new one ($33) and I'm waiting on that to proceed. I also finally got all of the backordered parts and was able to go back and finish a few minor tasks. I should finish the elevators in the next few weeks and move on to the aft fuselage and then fiberglass.

  Dec 30, 2020     Elevator - (8 hours)       Category: Empennage

This is one entry for several days...I've been doing just a little bit on the elevator every now and then over the past week or so. I've completed the first four pages of the elevator section. It's mostly cutting out parts and de-burring with a little assembly done today.

  Dec 13, 2020     HS Complete - (5 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today I finished riveting the front spar and ribs and then, after checking every rivet, started on the rear spar. This went pretty quick because I was able to use the NUMATX squeezer on all of the rear spar rivets.

  Dec 11, 2020     Riveting HS - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

Completed riveting one side of the HS, except for the rear spar...lots of buck rivets!

  Dec 10, 2020     HS almost done - (10 hours)       Category: Empennage

I managed to get a lot of work done today. I started by finishing the dimples on the skins. I then scuffed, ekoetched, and primed the inside of the HS skins. While those were drying, I riveted the front spar assembly together with the NUMATX squeezer. Once the skins were ready, I clecoed and riveted the nose ribs and then put the front spar assembly in place and used almost all of my clecos to put it all together. I riveted the spar to the nose ribs using pulled rivets. All that's left for the HS is a whole lot of bucking rivets!

  Dec 09, 2020     HS - (3 hours)       Category: Empennage

Didn't have a lot of time today, but I managed to get some work done on the HS. I dimpled all of the ribs and the worked on the skins. I got the vinyl of the inside and off the rivet lines on the outside. I dimpled one of the skins using the DRDT and the Numatx squeezer.

  Dec 06, 2020     Rudder Complete - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

Completed the last step on the rudder...bending the leading edge. This was difficult to get it right, but I used a technique recommended by some other builders and I'm happy with the results...it just took a lot longer than I expected. I also bought two metal platforms that were on sale at Lowes and used them to mount the cradles Brandon made for me a few days ago. These are to hold the Horizontal Stabilizer while assembling and riveting it together. I should need it soon.

  Dec 05, 2020     Rudder almost done - (5 hours)       Category: Empennage

I started the day by etching and priming all of my HS parts and moved on to the rudder. I did all of the counterbalance rib and spar rivets, Installed the counterbalance weight, and then did the top rib. It all went well with only 2 rivets that I had to re-do. I then did the trailing edge. I used the Numatx squeezer with the Clevealand Tool special dies for this and it worked great. I had to use a bit higher pressure to get the double-flush rivets right, but it made the job very easy. I started in the middle and then did every 5th rivet each side, then the 4th, 3rd, etc. This was to try to keep it as straight as possible. I ended up with a very slight bow of about 1mm over the entire length. The allowable amount is 2.5mm, so I'm pretty happy with the result. I'll roll the leading edges tomorrow and that will complete the rudder!

  Dec 04, 2020     HS and Rudder (finally) - (3 hours)       Category: Empennage

I finished deburring all of the parts for the HS and will clean/etch/prime them tomorrow. I finally got the nut plates I needed to finish the spar of the rudder. With those installed, I started riveting into place. I'll finish that and probably the trailing edge tomorrow, then maybe bend the LE of the rudder. I ordered to QB fuselage and Wing the other day and since they probably will not be here until September, I've slowed down the pace a little.

  Dec 01, 2020     HS Spars - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today I riveted the other spar and then took the time to clean up the shop a bit before proceeding on. I then spent a few hours working on the ribs...lots of deburring to be done!

  Nov 30, 2020     HS Spars - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today I started by countersinking the flanges of the front and rear spars. I got the front and rear HS spar parts all cleaned with ekoetch and then painted them with ekoprime. Once it was all dry, I riveted the doubler and hinge brackets on the rear spar, then got the front spar ready to rivet tomorrow.

  Nov 29, 2020     Horizontal Stabilizer - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

After a 4 day break to earn some money, I got back at the HS today. I got the front spar, stiffener, and caps all drilled and deburred. I'm now ready to etch and prime both spars and associated parts tomorrow.

  Nov 24, 2020     HS start - (3 hours)       Category: Empennage

I had to stop work on the rudder because once again I need parts from one the the two back-ordered small parts bags. I thought I had what I needed, but I realized that a K1000-6 and K1000-06 are two very different nut plates. So, I set the rudder aside and started on the horizontal stabilizer. I just spent a little while demurring and match drilling the rear spar.

  Nov 21, 2020     Rudder - (3 hours)       Category: Empennage

I finally got the transfer tape so I can press on a little. Today I built a small paint booth to help with priming parts. Once UPS arrived with the transfer tape, I was able to put it on the trailing edge wedge and put the two skins together. The stiffer plates are still back-ordered, so I ordered some 0.063 2024-T3 alclad to make my own...I got the drawing from Vans. Tomorrow, I'll etch and paint them and then be able to complete the rudder. This is going pretty quick, so I'm going to order the QuickBuild Kits on Monday.

  Nov 19, 2020     Rudder - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

Did more work on the rudder. Primed all the parts and then back riveted the stiffeners on the skin and pop riveted the clips on. I'm at a bit of an impasse now as I'm waiting for the spar reinforcing plates that were backordered. I ordered some sheet material to make them myself tomorrow if they don't show up by then.

  Nov 18, 2020     Rudder day 3 - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

I got the rudder completely cleco'd together and everything that needed. it fitted and match drilled. I then took it all apart and did all the dimpling, duburring, scuffing, etc in preparation for primer. I'm hoping tomorrow is warm and dry enough to shoot the primer. I also set up for countersinking the trailing edge, but I'll save that task for tomorrow. I won't be able to put it all together until the backordered reinforcing plates come from vans...hopefully soon.

  Nov 17, 2020     Rudder Day 2 - (4 hours)       Category: Empennage

Continued work on the rudder and started putting it together, then had to stop because I ran out of 1/8th clecos! The tool kit doesn't have nearly enough and I realized that and ordered more...but they're nor here yet. I'll read ahead some and see what else I can do. Unfortunately, it's cold and raining, so I can't even prime the parts that are ready.

  Nov 16, 2020     Finished VS...Started Rudder - (6 hours)       Category: Empennage

Today I finished up the VS. With fresh eyes and morning light I examined my rivets from yesterday and decided to replace 3 before I closed everything up. With that done, I riveted the rear spar in place and I'm now done with the VS. I started on the rudder, mostly just separating parts and deburring them. Three of the stiffener plates I need are backordered, so I'm having to work a little ahead, and then I'll come back to the spar.

  Nov 15, 2020     VS day 2 - (10 hours)       Category: Empennage

Started the day by diluting some Ekoetch and then cleaning/etching all of the parts I deburred yesterday. Once everything was dry, I primed it with Stuart Systems ecoprime. While I was waiting for that to dry, I built a table for my DRDT2 dimpler.
Once everything was dry, I started progressing through the instructions and was going to stop for the day when I got to the riveting. I decided to drive a rivet or two as a test, and of course then proceeded to do all of them except for the rear spar. I stopped at the rear spar so I could evaluate my riveting with fresh eyes in the morning before I enclose everything. Overall, it went well, but I did have to drill out about 8 rivets and used one oops rivet. I also ended up with one small smiley.
Another hour or two tomorrow and I'll be moving on to the rudder.

  Nov 14, 2020     Vertical Stabilizer - (9 hours)       Category: Empennage

The first day of actual building, putting the VS together. I got it all fit, drilled, deburred, and ready for clean and prime. With any luck, I'll drive the first rivet tomorrow!

  Nov 09, 2020     Inventory - (3 hours)       Category: Empennage

It Begins! I received the RV-14 Empennage Kit today. I spent about 3 hours going through the inventory and organizing everything. I was missing one of the horizontal stabilizer skins. A quick call to Vans got the missing part on the way and it should be here in a couple of days.