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Empennage

Empennage

Empennage Finished & Stored

I finally got everything put back together and checked all of the control throws and everything looked great! The elevator goes a few degrees beyond the expected amount. The one odd part I’m going to have to figure out is that I am unable to get the 35 degrees of Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 12, 2024 ago
Empennage

Fixing Elevator Trim Tab Bellcrank Mounts

I decided to go back and fix a mistake I made with the elevator trim bellcrank mounts. I was off when I drilled them and the elevator trim was not within specifications. I drilled out the rivets, threw the mounts away and built two new from scratch. This time they Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 10, 2024 ago
Empennage

Even More Filler & Sanding

I did quite a bit of filler and sanding and I’m about as far as I want to get with it at this point. I’ll come back when the plane is nearing completing to get this done the way I want it.

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 10, 2024 ago
Empennage

More Filler and Sanding

I spent most of my time today and yesterday filling the low spots and sanding. Not alot of an update here but wanted to include pictures. I do need to order some thin fiberglass so that I can glass over the edges between the fiberglass parts and the aluminum. I’ve Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 9, 2024 ago
Empennage

VS Tip Fiberglassing Continues

I trimmed and sanded down the first two layers of glass and it definitely wasn’t thick enough to cover the rear gap. I added three more layers and that still didn’t add enough thickness but I wanted to go ahead and get the interior glass layers done first so I Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 7, 2024 ago
Empennage

HS Tips Primed and Installed – VS Tip Fiberglass First Layers

I got the HS tips sanded, countersunk, cleaned, primed and installed tonight. I also got the fiberglass for the first two layers done for the VS tip tonight. Had to strap it down so it wouldn’t move on me as it was still wanting to bow in a few millimeters. Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 5, 2024 ago
Empennage

Finishing Surface on HS Tips & Prepping VS Tip

I spent time getting the VS tip cut and match drilled so that I can get it ready to fiberglass the back. It didn’t take too terrible long to get it ready but did take quite a bit of heat and molding to get the shape right. It had sunken Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 4, 2024 ago
Empennage

HS Tip Fairings Done

The horizontal stabilizer tips are now finished. It took a bit of getting over the fear of messing up the parts to start but I did it LOL. I formed foam to get the right shape to the outside layer. I wrapped it with AC duct tape but I forgot Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 3, 2024 ago
Empennage

Forming Horizontal Stabilizer Tips

I found a post from someone where they had the same issue with their horizontal stabilizer tips being out of shape. They used clamps and heat to shape it, which I remember from the fiberglass 101 class that they stated that if you get fiberglass warm enough (180F or so) Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsAugust 1, 2024 ago
Empennage

EAA AirVenture 2024 & Fiberglass Work

It has been too long since I’ve been able to work on the airplane. Kids’ activities (and the volunteer work to go with it), church service, my school work (I’m now working on my MBA through WGU), and trying to spend more time with the kids has taken alot of Read more…

By olanandkate, 10 monthsJuly 31, 2024 ago

Posts pagination

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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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