N439RC; Ron's RV-12

Aside from the tailcone, the horiztonal stabilizer (stabilator for this aircraft) is going to be the largest (longest) piece in the empennage kit.  It starts with a couple spars, made of a thicker gauge aluminum bent into a “C” shape for strength.  They have holes in them to reduce the weight.  See insert photo of spars on workbench.  They will provide the main strength for the horizontal control surface.

A spar box is created to hold the main spars (front and aft) together.  See photos below. 

The ribs of the horizontal stabilator fit onto the spar box/spars.  Photos below show the spar skeleton from various angles.  Next steps will involve the skins over the skeleton.

AST stands for “Anti-Servo …. something.”  I basically know it as the TRIM surfaces.  They are the small control surfaces built into the horizontal stabilizer (stabilator) that allow for “fine” adjustments during flight.  This part of the project involved working with aluminum piano hinges, cut-to-length, drilled, and riveted to the surfaces.  They were pretty easy.  I knocked them out in a couple days.  See inserted photo showing them in their completed state.  Onto the horizontal stabilator!

I had a pretty good weekend on my RV project.  I was able to put some nice hours in on Sunday.  Saturday was enjoyed at a local varsity volleyball tournament my daughter was in.  They managed to squeeze out third place.  It was a nice tournament!

Sunday went pretty well, as I was able to fit test the rudder spar to the vertical stabilazer, then prep, debur and prime the rudder components for assembly.  The photos show the hinge fit between the VS and the Rudder.

Monday night during the Packer/Viking game I managed to cleco and rivet all the components together.  By the end of the game it was done!  Photos show clecoed rudder, then riveted rudder, then a shot of the rudder horn.  See the green-tinted primer on the bottom.

I also managed to complete the storage space above my garage door.  Both the vertical stabilizer and rudder are now neatly tucked away for safe keeping.

On to the AST!

I borrowed the pneumatic rivet gun from work last night and made quick work of the final rivets on the vertical stabilizer.  It is now complete.  Onto the rudder!