Vertical Stabilizer Construction:
First we started by reviewing the plans and instructions for the Vertical Stabilizer.
Here I'm building up the Vertical Stabilizer rear spar and skeleton, by measuring
each rib and spar for proper hole placement. The skin provides the alignment holes.
A 4x4 post frame jig is required, so I used my laser plumb bob again to transfer
a string line to the base of the jig and to leading edge of the stabilizer.
The Vertical skeleton is riveted together after riveting the rear spar and
applying epoxy primer.
The Vertical skeleton is placed into the post frame and aligned by using a small
adjustment clamp and a single adjustment pin at the top of the stabilizer.
We are now match drilling into the spars and ribs and then deburring
and dimpling everything.
The final step was to rivet the skin to the skeleton thus completing the Vertical Stabilizer
in 55 hours - just one day before Christmas 2000.
And to all a good night.
