elevator horn | Andrew's RV-7 Build Log

Riveted Elevator Horn and Trim Tab Spar

July 7, 2010

I don’t really love working in short bursts like this, but I do what I have to. Let’s do the elevator horn tonight.

I first clecoed every other hole. The left elevator horn was actually easier to cleco on than the right. I can't figure out why.

Anyway, a few loud noises later, and I had the first six done for the day.

Nice shop heads.

And again, a few minutes after that….

Six more, for a total of 12 so far.

Then, I convince the girlfriend to come outside and try her hand at squeezing.

Looks great.

She did great, but one of the rivets split diagonally as it was squeezed. It wasn't her fault, but I'll have to replace it tomorrow.

14 rivets. 0.5 hours.

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Posted by Andrew

Started Prepping Left Elevator Skeleton

July 2, 2010

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Even though it was my day off, I spent the day trying not to get stung by bees (mowing the forest behind my fence) and meeting the girlfriend for food. After that, I managed to waste an hour or so installing a fan in the garage. Recently, it’s been brutal in the garage, so this morning, while I was walking around Lowe’s, I saw a small ceiling fan for $17. I couldn’t say no. It was harder to install than our nicer fans inside (no little quick-disconnect fan blades or anything), but in the end, it makes me cooler in the garage (double meaning intended).

Huzzah!

Okay, back to work. I think you guys might have seen this picture yesterday, but here it is again…the little riblet I made after drilling.

Looks good. I am proud of this little guy.

Then, I moved over to the spar. These four holes get countersunk because they attach E-705, but the elevator horn has to sit over the rivets but still flush against the forward face of the web.

Beautiful countersinks.

While I had the countersink cage set up, I pulled the trim tab spar out of the elevator and started on it.

Countersink the top flange, dimple the bottom flange.

Aren't these countersinks nice?

After countersinking, both the tab spar and the left elevator main spar were scuffed (more), edge-finished, and then got a trip inside to the sink for a quick rinse before coming back outside to eventually get a coat of primer.