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April 2022

Empennage

Starting the trim tabs

I got the trim tab holders cut out from some spare wood that I had laying around. Even though I had to cut them by hand instead of some kind of template, etc it still came out pretty good. After doing all that work I realized I should have used Read more…

By olanandkate, 3 yearsApril 20, 2022 ago
Empennage

Elevator Counterbalance Weights Installed

I got a short amount of time last night to get the weights trimmed a bit more and install them. I’ve never worked much with lead, but it was amazing how easy it was to cut. I got a box cutter to trim the burrs off of the edges and Read more…

By olanandkate, 3 yearsApril 19, 2022 ago
Empennage

Rolled Front Edges and Counterbalance Weights Cut

I got a tiny bit of time to get the front edge of the elevators rolled and then riveted. I also got the change to cut the basic shape of the counterbalance weights. I still need to get them smoothed out some and grind off just a tiny bit more. Read more…

By olanandkate, 3 yearsApril 18, 2022 ago
Empennage

Elevator Trailing Edge Work

I got the trailing edges sealed up today. I put the pro seal on on Friday and it sat all weekend long until today to cure. That was basically just over 36 hours. I’m getting better at trailing edge work, but I still slip with too much pressure through the Read more…

By olanandkate, 3 yearsApril 11, 2022 ago
Empennage

Elevator Spar Riveting Completed

I spent my time after work finishing up the riveting on the rear spar and completing all of the front spar riveting. The Cleaveland Tools bucking bar was awesome! It follows the design that Van’s Aircraft puts in the manual and I can see why they have that. It was Read more…

By olanandkate, 3 yearsApril 4, 2022 ago
Empennage

Final Elevator Prep and Initial Assembly

I spent alot of time this weekend getting to where I am now. It started on Friday afternoon with dimpling more skins, deburring a bit more on the skin edges, and just getting all of the parts ready for priming the following day. Saturday was doing some of the skin Read more…

By olanandkate, 3 yearsApril 4, 2022 ago

Aircraft Build Time

Airplane sectionBuild time (hrs)
S06 - Vertical Stabilizer22.5
S07 - Rudder34.25
S08 - Horizontal Stabilizer49.75
S09 - Elevators59
S10 - Tailcone75.75
S11 - Empennage Attach27.75
S12 - Empennage Fairings26.5
S13 - Main Spar18.25
S14 - Wing Ribs35.5
S15 - Rear Spar29.25
S16 - Top Skins32.75
S17 - Outboard Leading Edge34.75
S18 - Fuel Tank15
S21 - Aileron29.75
Total490.75
Recent Posts
  • Aileron Nose Ribs Riveted and Spar Partially
  • Ailerons Ready for Assembly
  • Aileron Skins Primed and Riveted & 3D Printed Parts
  • Elevator Skin Work & Brakes Have Arrived!
  • Right Tank J Stiffener
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