Empennage

Elevator  (3 hrs )

Sect 9-19, Step 3:  LH & RH Elevator Skins top and bottom cleco'd together at Ribs...to blind rivet soon.   Sect 9-20, Step 1-4: Get to try out RV10 Special Bucking Bar  (borrowed from Terry Moushon, builder RV10    Thanks Terry !)  After shimming to prevent any deformation of TE skin "reverse bends", used special bucking bar to rivet Rear Spar.

Instructions have you start with LH Elevator, since those are on bottom (any oops will be less visible).   Good idea, but whole procedure was much easier than I'd feared.  Just insured bar was correctly positioned for each rivet.   Both LH and RH Elevators are A-OK.

Step 5-6:  Blind riveted Top and Bottom Ribs to each other, joining Elevator into an assembly for Left, and one for Right.   Sure was important to use extension handles on rivet tool !   I used cardboard under tool also, to prevent any "dings" to skins when each rivet "pops".

Empennage

Elevator ( 3 hrs )

Right Rear Spar riveted to Right Bottom Skin per Step 4 & 5 - with some exceptions.  Then Sect 9-18, Finished Right Bottom Skin via back riveting Ribs.

Sect 9-19, Step 1 Left Bottom Skin - 5 Ribs, since 6th is part of Trim Reinforcement Doubler.   Riveted Trim Access Reinforcement & Doubler Brace while adding final 2 Nutplates.   Note:  I add the machine screw during riveting to insure alignment (these are flush, so no interference, etc).

Step 2 Back Riveted 6 Ribs to Right Top Skin.  Started Step 3 - cleco'd LH Top & Bottom Skins with Ribs and Rear Spar so ready tomorrow to blind rivet top and bottom together.  It's beginning to look like an elevator!

Empennage

Elevator ( 4 hrs )

Sect 9-17, Step 3:  Completed rivets to Ribs & Shear Clips to LH and RH Rear Spars.  

Sect 9-18, Step 1 & 2: Primed all 4 Skins inside surface along rivet lines and similarly scuffed zones (only).    Removed tape from zones for bonding Foam Ribs and TE later (see pic below)

Then riveted Forward Hinge to Rear Spar & Top Left Skin.

Temporarily assembled Trim Tab hinge to confirm smooth operation.   Looks and works great !


















Step 3:  Back Riveted Ribs to LH Top Skin.

















Step 4- 5:  Right Rear Spar riveted to Right Bottom Skin.  Careful to mark locations not to be riveted at this time, too.  Plan to back rivet Ribs to this Skin tomorrow....

Empennage

Elevator ( 2.5 hrs )

Sect 9-17, Step 1:  Assembled Counterbalance Skin to Tip Ribs with 50 rivets each .  Step 2:  Riveted RH and LH Elevator Horns to Front Spar & Root Ribs.   Coming along !

So far I've kept correct orientation:  top vs bottom, left vs right. 

Takes double checking instructions & drawings ! 

  

Empennage

Elevators  ( 1hr )

Sect 9-14, Step 7:  Double Flush Riveted Trim Tab T.E. (after 3 days of curing tank sealant/adhesive for Foam Ribs).  Used RV14 Safety Pin Squeezing Tool to cope w/ TE wedge reverse angle to rivet 426 (flush) 3 - 4.5.  Cost me $25, but it makes this riveting easy.    Step 8:  Finished Trim Tab to install 6 blind rivets in close out tabs.   Looks great!

Empennage

Elevator (1 hr )

Finished Sect 9-16, Step 3 w/ rivets attaching LH & RH Tip Ribs and Root Ribs to the Front Spars.

I successfully used Main Squeeze for 2, but ultimately used rivet gun for other 2 rivets.

Empennage

Elevator  (3.5 hrs )

Sect 9-16, Step 3:  Deburred edges, Final Drilled (reamed) then deburred  all #30 holes on 4 E910 Hinge Reinforcement Plates.  Primed these prior to riveting to L & R Front Spars.  Added 4 K1000-6 nutplates that will anchor swivel bolts acting as hinges between Elevator and Horiz Stab. Instructions spec'd 470 4-6,  but first one had to be replaced after it curled as I began to squeeze.  Closer examine with gauge showed too long !   Checked alternate  -5 rivets, but gauge showed too short.  So I simply hand ground eight 470  4-6  rivets by just .5 to  -5.5 lengths.  These were perfect.

Front Spars w/  Hinge Reinforcement Plates and nutplates.

Jumped to Sect 9-17, Step 3 to rivet Shear Clips and Gussets to LH and RH Rear Spars, and cleco'd 12 Ribs ...to complete next session.  Gotta go mow since grass is growing like crazy this spring.