Empennage

Empennage Fairing ( 2 hrs )

Mixed epoxy/flox and filled pinholes on Emp Fairing (also some on 4 Instersection Fairings).   Later, after cured 6 hrs, sanded smooth all 4 Intersection Fairings and Empennage Fairing.    Began exploring where and how to mount various units supporting Garmin G3X system:  GTX-45 ( remote transponder w/ ADS-B in/out), GEA24 (engine monitor), GD-40 (CO detection), GPS20A (remote WAAS GPS), and GAD27 (intergrated controller).   Referenced couple other RV14 builder logs, and Layout provided by Stein Air.

flox mix added to fill pinholes ( prior sand smooth... again)

unpacking Avionics...

Empennage

Empennage Fairing ( 3 hrs )

Completed sanding high spots and contoured at HS leading edge.  Removed Fairing ( Yay !  - some prying required, but did come off...whew...) to sand edges.  Smoothed edges all around using 120 grit.  Removed excess flox underneath using dremel.  Ref Step 5 at 12-13.  Pleased with fit when re-attached.  No gaps !   Got a lot of pinholes opened via removed layer of filler/paint...so will tackle those next.

underside w/ molded flox shown

prior sanding flox on edges & contouring

re-installed after sanding edges

no gaps

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Empennage

Empennage Fairing ( 1 hr )

Wet sanded most of Emp Fairing with 80 and 120 grit to remove waviness and high spots.   Good progress, but more needed.

Empennage

Empennage Fairings ( 4 hrs )

Per Sect 12-13, final trimmed Fairing edges to within 9mm of holes.  Covered Fuse, HS, and VS contact areas with cellophane packing tape (then applied auto wax for good measure).  Mixed epoxy/flox to smooth, slight sag mix then applied to underside Fairing in marked areas.   Tried not to smear all over VS as I positioned onto Fuse/HS/VS.   Inserted 27 screws followed by major clean up.  Several hours later, I began sanding to eliminate slight waviness and taper toward edge.   Lots of sanding to do next.  (I'm praying the Fairing comes off, but gonna wait until more rough sanding done)

trimmed edges, re-installed

clear tape, then car wax applied as extra release

Underside sanded where flox will be attaching

after clean up, starting to cure.  

later, after cure, began to sand.  Shows how
waviness is being eliminated.  Will have consistent
edge contacting alum, with no gaps.

Empennage

Empennage Fairing ( 4 hrs )

Riveted 7 nutplates to Aft Fuselage per Sect 12-12.  The 4 on lower sides were challenging to reach with my large hands twisting through openings.   Had to remove H.S., loose ELT...then success!   Remounted H.S., replaced temporary nuts on 4 bolts holding VS-01402 VS Bracket, and torqued.  (note in picture, hole for mounting VS is skewed left, giving VS right turning bias in flight offsetting engine torque, etc.)  Re-mounted VS, then added Gap Covers.  Discovered I'd forgotten to install nutplate at aft position.  I'd dimpled earlier, so added K1100-6 nuplates which was easy to do while VS on Fuse.  Re-installed Emp Fairing w/ 27 flat head screws.  SWEET !   Next:  make final trim, and fill few small gaps with epoxy/flox mix per Sect 12-13.

 torq seal (yellow) added once nuts torqued. 
Others are still temp, since will remove HS again

lower nutplates were challenge to reach,
even w/ HS removed

installed aft nutplate for Gap Cover

1st installation with flush screws

Empennage

Empennage Fairing ( 3 hrs )


Riveted 10 nutplates to Horiz Stab and 12 nutplates to Vert Stab after match drilling #40 rivet holes, then mach c'sinking (dimpled on Horiz Stab), per Step 7 at Sect 12-11, and Steps 1-4 2 12-12.  Still need 7 nutplates added to Aft Fuselage (but these were prepped during build of Aft Fuse last year).

Vert Stab nutplates added.
 (applied grey Napa 7720 primer at scuffed areas)

in process of riveting nutplates to H.S.

Able to do w/ HS still mounted to Fuselage

Empennage

Empennage Fairing ( 4 hrs )

Completed Steps 1-6 in Sect 12-11:  Transferred hole centerlines to Fairing, drilled #40, then enlarged with #27 drill.  Process worked very well for the opaque fiberglass Fairing.  Machine C'sunk all holes in Fairing for #6 screws.  Dimpled aft hole in Gap Covers (F14111 L & R ).  Removed Vert Stab so I could drill for nutplates while on bench.  Note:  received Registration for plane from FAA...it's officially N3714R  now ! (quicker than expected - only took couple weeks)

selfie showing centerline marks (where to drill)

RH side - done w/ #40, partially done enlarging
 to #27 with 1/8" cleocs

LH side...pending #27 final hole sizing

Vert Stab on bench, drilling for nutplate rivets