Category: RV10

RV10 Build Project

Horizontal Stabilizer – Part 3

Brian 0 Comment RV10

In prep for the weekend, I tried to get a few things completed on the Horizontal Stabilizer.  First I went to match-drill the ribs on the front spar, only to realize that I had mounted the ribs in the last video on the wrong side.  Honestly I just clecoed them on to get an idea of what it would look like.

Flipping over the rib, I mounted all the ribs and completed all my match drilling.  I did notice a few rivets that I needed to address.  Decided to go “off plans” and build a cradle using nylon webbing.  This did make it slightly more difficult to get the nose ribs riveted to start with, but ended up making it easy to tilt the stabilizer a little bit as I assemble things.

Got the skins prepped and in the cradles, then went back to the spar and ribs to get them marked and the ribs fluted.  Once the ribs were off the spar, I could address those rivets that needed to be replaced.

Horizontal Stabilizer – Part 4

Brian 0 Comment Horizontal Stabilizer

With some assistance from my cousin (also a Pilot and A&P) we were able to start assembling the Horizontal Stabilizer.  Getting the nose ribs in the skins was a bit of a pain, but that may have been due to my use of the straps vs the plywood cradle suggested in the plans.  As other builders have commented, we needed a LOT of clecos to get the skin attached well.  Basically a lot of “rinse and repeat” from this perspective and it was very nice to have another aviation enthusiast helping on the build.  This is always the cool part where things are starting to look like real parts, vs the work on the spar and ribs.

We figured out how the stringers go together and got them inserted into the ribs without too much fuss.  The remainder of the week was me match drilling one section at a time.  As stated in the plans, just come up with a methodology to get everything correctly matched drilled.

This is also the point where you really need to have an angle drill or angle drill attachment in order to drill the holes on the front spar attachment bracket.  I was personally hoping that my craftsman cordless angle drill would be sufficient, however it was still too big to access these holes.  So an order for the appropriate tool is in and hopefully it will arrive shortly.

At this point I have match drilled all of the holes and once the attachment bracket is drilled, I can begin the process of deburring.

 

Horizontal Stabilizer – Part 5 

Brian 0 Comment Horizontal Stabilizer

With my angle-drill tool in hand, I finished drilling the last few holes in the HS.  Next, I spent what seemed like a lifetime taking everything apart and getting it deburred.  I debated not even posting a timelapse, but finally decided to post a VERY sped up video.  The fact that I was able to do it in small chunks in the evenings did help a bit so I didn’t loose my mind. I need to install a stereo or get some headphones to help pass the time.

I did have some company for a bit and finally gave my girls their own “toolbox” projects so they got to spend some time with Dad working on their own projects.

 

Rudder – Part 7

Brian 0 Comment Rudder

So I’m a little behind in my posting / video editing.  With that said, I’m working on getting caught up.

After finally making a trip to the local hardware store, I finally had the right size pipe as well as some “gorilla tape” to help finish up the rolling of the leading edge.  Honestly it wasn’t a terrible process, but it was slightly annoying and I ended up using two different size PVC pipes to get a decent fit.  Others have commented that the two sheets were not laying flat when they riveted their skins together, but honestly mine turned out decently.  Maybe one or two spots were lifting a bit, but decided to leave them as is for now.

Then I moved to the counterbalance and proceeded to mount the lead weight and fold over the skins. Mounting the nutplate was slightly difficult since I don’t have any nutplate jigs.  I was hoping that the skins wouldn’t pillow on the counterbalance, however I wasn’t so lucky and ended up having to install a blind rivet in the middle of my counterweight.  Oh well.

I talked to a few other builders about the minor dent at the top of the rudder.  Basically the advice was to keep moving forward and when I go to put the fairing on I can always fill it a little bit with some micro if I really want to.  The skin didn’t tear and non of the ribs were damaged.  Just cosmetic damage and I should worry.

It’s funny, looking back when it happened I felt like it was such MAJOR damage, however now in hindsight it’s really pretty minor.  Heck, the 172 I’m currently flying has much worse “hangar rash” and it flies just fine.

Chalk it up to being a “first time builder”.

Horizontal Stabilizer – Part 6

Brian 0 Comment Horizontal Stabilizer

After getting all the parts for the  HS deburred in the previous update and a nice break in the weather, I started to get the parts ready for priming.  Due to the chance of some storms later that day, I decided to skip the wet-scrub and just scuff the parts with a regular scotch-bright pad, followed by cleaning with Acetone.  This was slightly less messy and allowed me to move faster through the prep of  the parts.  Once the Acetone and air-filter went on, the kids had to go inside.

Just as I mixed the AKZO, the weather started to look threatening.  I thought for sure all that AKZO was going to be wasted, but luckily things held off and I was not only able to spray all the ribs and stringers, but had enough time to scrub down the skins and get them primed as well.

After that I had to go back and dimple the skins and all the parts.  One suggestion – Double check that all the holes on the skin that should be dimpled are actually dimpled.  Later on I realized I somehow missed a single dimple.  It happens, and you can kinda fix it, but it’s better to just dimple it correctly the first time.

I think part of the problem was I didn’t do all the skins in one sitting and decided to start to assemble a few parts before I finished all the dimpling.