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Tailcone

Empennage

Frame Dimpling & Battery Frame Prep

I finally got some time that wasn’t dedicated to school music programs or church related activities. All of the frames are dimpled and the battery and bell crank parts are prepped too. I skipped some steps to do that as I need to clear my work table to do the Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsMay 20, 2023 ago
Empennage

Longeron Countersinking & Some Dimpling

It’s been a bit since I’ve had time to build. I got the longerons countersunk and I did the #6 screw hole dimples on the skins and the cover plates. I hope to get more time to work on this tomorrow and the rest of this week (especially this summer) Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsMay 15, 2023 ago
Empennage

Disassembly and Deburring

I spent quite a bit of time deburring the parts and inspecting to see if there were places we were causing problems with the ribs to the skin with marring. I goofed up on some stiffeners and countersunk on the wrong side. They had a picture pointing to one side Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsJanuary 31, 2023 ago
Empennage

Final Drilling Everything and Installing the Upper Skins

This was a long day LOL. I spent 8 hours in total across Saturday (6) and Sunday (2) to get this far. It looks great and I am hoping to get through the rest of the initial assembly by the end of this week. We’ll see as I had originally Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsJanuary 22, 2023 ago
Empennage

Tailcone Straightening

I got started on the rear bulkhead and there is a piece you need to manufacture that braces between the rear bulkhead and the rudder stop stiffeners. I got it cut out and was preparing for drilling when I saw that the tailcone had a slight twist in it. I Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsJanuary 21, 2023 ago
Empennage

Tailcone Right Side Drilled and Rudder Stop Stiffners Installed

Over two days I was able to get the rear bulkheads situation fixed with some shaping of the tabs on the bulkheads and I drilled all of the holes for the stiffeners. I also got the rudder stop stiffeners cut and installed. I now just need to work through cutting Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsJanuary 19, 2023 ago
Empennage

Tailcone Initial Assembly

The tailcone is mostly assembled now. I got the bottom and right hand side drilled. I still have to drill the stiffeners on the left hand side but I at least got it put on. I also got the longerons bent and shaped the way they asked. I am having Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsJanuary 17, 2023 ago
Empennage

Tailcone Stiffeners

This has taken quite a bit of work. I could only think of a cutoff wheel to cut these stiffeners but I did not like the inaccuracy of the cuts. I tried to keep it as close to 45 degrees as much as possible but doing this free hand was Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsJanuary 13, 2023 ago
Empennage

More Tailcone Deburring

I’ve spent a lot of time recently getting our RV setup. Now that that is done and we are just enjoying it I have a little more time on my hands. I’ve spent a lot of time deburring these tailcone parts which take a lot of time just because of Read more…

By olanandkate, 2 yearsDecember 7, 2022 ago
Empennage

Starting the Tailcone

I dragged all of the parts from the attic and started on the tailcone. I had to order a 3/8 – 16 tap as I don’t really keep an assortment of taps around unless I need one. I got the first three steps done and I need to start cutting Read more…

By olanandkate, 3 yearsSeptember 3, 2022 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 Tank22.5
S21 - Aileron35
Total503.5
Recent Posts
  • Tank Dimpling & Countersinking Complete
  • Left Tank Fully Deburred and Some Countersinking
  • Left Tank Disassembled and Partially Deburred
  • Ailerons Complete!
  • Top Aileron Skins Riveted
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