May 08, 2022     Fiberglass tip for vertical stab       Category: Empennage

I have been putting off installing the fiberglass tip on the vertical stab because I didnt have enough hands. I had to firmly hold the tip with one hand while trying to form the sheet metal around the fiberglass, while also pushing the tip hard forward against the metal for a good fit, while also accurately drilling the holes. I finally bit the bullet and got it done and I am happy with the results.

Other than that I am moving to Dallas in about three weeks and I have been working on prepping (deburing, scuffing, cleaning, dimpleing, 2 part epoxy primer)all the parts that I can in an effort to use up all of my chemicals before the move. At this point I am very close to being done with the prep work and only have one more spray session and that should be it. When I am ready to build again in Dallas I think I am ready to just build and I expect things to move quickly.

The last two pictures are to document the scratches around the holes that need to be dimpled on the flaps. I was a little worried they might crack.

  Mar 05, 2022     Left Wing ribs       Category: Empennage

This weekend I prepped and epoxy primed the left wing ribs. After prime I started assembling the ribs.

  Feb 27, 2022     Vertical stab finished       Category: Empennage

With the backordered rib that arrived last week I was able to finish up the vertical stab this weekend. I had to cleco the part together twice to get everything aligned just rights but once that was done everything went together quick enough. Also now that the parts are starting to pile up I made a stand to store my various finished pieces.

  Feb 26, 2022     HS tip skins       Category: Empennage

This weekend I attached the HS tip skins and attached the fiberglass tips. Putting the tips on was actually easier than I was expecting. After the tips were on I attached the counter balance/control horn in the middle of the elevator. I did have a little bit of an alignment issue with the control horn but I was able to get the bolts into the holes and while torquing the nuts everything straightened out.

  Feb 21, 2022     Backordered part arrived.       Category: Empennage

I am on hold for the right wing but some back ordered parts came in that will allow me to finish the empennage. I was waiting on one bearing that will allow me to mount the elevator to the horizontal stabilizer. This is required per the manufacturer instructions in order to ensure the parts line up. A lot of riveting later and the elevator is mostly riveted. Next I need to attach the outer most pieces of skin that will also attach to the carbon fiber wing tips.

Additionally, I received the last rib that will allow me to finish the vertical stabilizer but I haven't got around to that just yet.

  Jan 23, 2022     Vertical Stab work started       Category: Empennage

I finished what I could with the HS and clecoed the elevator skins on. I am waiting on a new bushing to come in so I can bolt the elevator to the HS to finish riveting it together per the instructions.

In the interim I started work on the VS and preped and primed all of the parts. I decided to do the rudder first because I am still waiting on one rib for the VS. The rudder went together pretty easy with the exception that I had to put it together and take it apart three times until I got rid of a little bit of twist in the rudder. I think the trick was the last time I clecoed the leading edge together but I hadnt done the the other two times. The only thing left to do on the rudder is running a wire for a tail strobe that I dont intend to install but it will be possible later because I have the wire. Lastly I need to install the composite rudder tip. I am going to need a second set of hands as I cant hold the medal, the tip, hold the metal tight against the tip and also mark/ drill the holes.

  Jan 17, 2022     Jan 17       Category: Empennage

Busy week! I received the clamps and standoffs that I needed to finish the Horizontal stabilizer.
I worked more on the elevators but was having a problem with some of the trailing edge holes not lining up by about half a hole width. Luckily, I also had my first EAA technical counselor visit, thanks John, who pointed out that if I just rivet the trailing edge trailer on the other side of the mount where I currently have it riveted the problem is solved.
Finally,
I prepped all of the vertical stabilizer and rudder parts to include priming.

  Jan 17, 2022     Jan 9th       Category: Empennage

Jan 9th,

I ordered some clamps and hardware from aircraft spruce to clamp the trim servo wire in the horizontal stab (HS). I have that clamped but looking at the wire run I want one more clamp, which I have, but I need a standoff to secure the wire in another location. In the mean time I started working on the Elevators. I spent the week prepping all the parts, Saturday priming them and started assembling the parts Sunday. I need to finish the HS so I can bolt the elevators to the HS while the skin goes on per the directions but I am still waiting on the stand off.

  Jan 17, 2022     Jan 2       Category: Empennage

I am starting to debur, and cleco the elevators. Once I get all the parts prepped and make sure everything fits. I will disassemble to prep the the parts with Prekote, then prime with a 2 part epoxy primer. I am spraying with a Fuji Minimite3 and it is working great so far. Not sure if I will continue to prime the whole kit. I like the peace of mind but it is a good amount of work.

The first snag I ran into is one of the press fit bushings does not rotate freely, its a bad bearing so I ordered a new one from the factory. No clue how long that process is going to take.

  Jan 17, 2022     Jan 1       Category: Empennage

January 1 2022

I was a little delayed from starting the kit due to life, job, family etc. We had a great Christmas vacation and I jumped right into it. I jumped the gun a little bit and didnt document the horizontal stabilizer (HS) structure very well. I am about 20 hours in and have the HS skeleton prepped, primed and riveted together. I have one skin clecoed on and am waiting on the other side. The directions say to use a stand off to secure the wire, but the kit didnt come with any stand offs so I have to order it. No problem I started work on the elevators.

  Jan 17, 2022     Nov 21       Category: Empennage

I did the kit inventory for both the Empennage and Wing first, it took about two days. All in all very happy with the delivery. A few parts are still back ordered but everything was pretty neatly organized.