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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (3h 21m)
Finally, the Elevator Horn arrived. I can start finalizing the the Elevators and the trim tabs. Tailcone Assembly here we come!
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Empennage · EMP Attachment — Work Session (4h 23m)
Since I am still missing the Elevator Horn, I went ahead and made some of the smaller fittings and the pushrod assembly. For the internal pushrod, I thinned my usual primer and, after plugging one end…
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (21m)
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Custom Trim Cable Attachment Brackets
While working on the trim system of my RV-10, I decided to make my own trim cable attachment brackets. There has been a service bulletin from Van’s, SB 06-9-20 , concerning the trim cable anchors. Thi…
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (2h 24m)
Finalized the installation of the rudder cable fairings which allowed me to install the Aft Tailcone deck. A lot of thick rivets to be set in uncomfortable positions.
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AN960 Hardware Washer Wrenches
I Only Wanted a Bent Piece of Metal The RV10.org wiki recommends using washer wrenches for the empennage assembly. I ignored that recommendation for a while, until I ran into one of those places where…
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Fuselage · Rudder Pedals & Brake System — Work Session (1h 13m)
I read the recommendation in the RV10.org wiki to already route the rudder cables as is apparently difficult to do sonnige the Tailcone deck is in. I added two small fairings on the outlet. That’s at …
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (5h 23m)
Riveted the majority of the Tailcone. The floor was easy by using the back-riveting technique. The bottom of the side skins however required more reach than my arms could provide, so I had to wait for…
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (1h 54m)
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (2h 0m)
The riveting on the Tailcone has begun. A lot of work but lets you get the groove in to learn to set the perfect rivets continuously.
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (1h 39m)
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (3h 24m)
The fun part! Everything is primed and the final assembly begins, parts are getting bigger. I decided to back rivet the Bulkheads and stiffeners to the bottom skin.
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (5h 5m)
Again, a lot of scuffing and Deburring. Then Primine time!
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (4h 53m)
Again, a lot of dimpling, scuffing and deburring. There are really a lot of parts on this tailbone. While disassembling, I remembered that I wanted to add a second pair of Naca Vents for the overhead …
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (3h 6m)
Dimpling
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (1h 34m)
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (1h 2m)
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (2h 11m)
Mounted the elevator stops as well as the harness attachments. Next step, disassemble everything. At this point I am now sure if this would be a good point to install the yaw and pitch servo mount, or…
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (1h 22m)
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (2h 31m)
The roof is on! Everything was straightforward and went really well, except for two things. 1: I ran out of clecos. I bought 375 and definitely need more, a lot more. At least another 200, I’d say. I …
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (1h 11m)
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (2h 1m)
I really love the pre-drilled kit, if there are holes, the chance that everything fits (just perfect) is really high. An easy fit check using the proper rivet and it really allows to just cleco everyt…
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (1h 23m)
The Tanksealant for the Elevator trim tabs arrived! It seems like ProSeal can not be shipped internationally, whereas FlameMaster sealant (which I understood is basically the same) can. Nevertheless, …
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (4h 3m)
Cut, fitted and drilled all the stiffeners. It starts looking like a plane! As already seen in other blogs, there are some fitment issues on the F-1011 and F-1012 bulkhead. I used a mix of fluting pli…
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (2h 47m)
Started with the tailcone stiffeners. Measuring, and drawing the rivet lines. Also, the thread tap arrived so I could finish the step I left out before.
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (34m)
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (1h 10m)
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Empennage · Tailcone — Work Session (2h 3m)
Die to missing ProSeal (actually FlameMaster, it’s stuck in customs), I started with the Tailcone! Build all the parts, minus the thread. I thought I had the correct tap in my portfolio, but turned ou…
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (4h 21m)
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (2h 36m)
Cut the foam ribs as well as the counterbalance weights. The weights had quite some cavities, nevertheless I created two matched pairs (+-2gram). I hope they turn out a bit heavy so they can still be …
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (2h 37m)
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Empennage · Rudder — Work Session (1h 4m)
Rudder completed! The ProSeal made no mess at all. I only put a really thin layer on so it did ooze very little (if at all). Cleaned a few holes and riveted with the trailing edge rivet set. The edge …
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Empennage · Rudder — Work Session (3h 17m)
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Empennage · Rudder — Work Session (1h 12m)
Prosealed the rudder trailing edge. Stabilized with a aluminum angle. Only had the 30min Proseal (which was expired since 2 years) but it worked flawlessly thanks to my helpful wife, working hand in h…
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Empennage · Horizontal Stabilizer — Work Session (2m)
Horizontal stabilizer done!
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Empennage · Horizontal Stabilizer — Work Session (2h 24m)
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Empennage · Horizontal Stabilizer — Work Session (2h 11m)
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Empennage · Horizontal Stabilizer — Work Session (2h 39m)
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Empennage · Vertical Stabilizer — Work Session (2h 44m)
The inspector inspected and saw it was good! That means I can proceed and close the first milestone, which is finalizing the vertical stabilizer! No dents in the skin, quite happy so far!
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (31m)
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (2h 21m)
Riveted the tip ribs, nutplates to the reinforcement plates as well as the right Elevator Horn. Called Vans today and they agreed to replace my left elevator horn as it looks like that there is a manu…
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (1h 26m)
After priming, I started riveting the parts together. One point that left me abit confused was the counterbalance skin. There was no step that made you dimple it. Although clear now, I had to re-dimpl…
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (2h 53m)
I built replacement custom Trim cable attachments the Vans Stock mounts (WD-415). They are similar to the ones from I iflyrv10.com but have a thicker base. The plan is to countersunk the bottom and th…
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (1h 18m)
As most of the parts are already drilled to size, this was quite straight forward. Still checked all holes (a few of each row) with a rivet though.
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (12m)
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (1h 48m)
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (1h 45m)
Straightening, deburring and polishing parts.
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Empennage · Elevator — Work Session (2h 44m)
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Empennage · Horizontal Stabilizer — Work Session (1h 25m)
Stabilizer ready for Assembly. I steady riveted in the Nose Ribs, now waiting for the inspection (which is scheduled for Tuesday 4.08.2026) so I can finish with the Rudder, HS / VS stabilizer as well …
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Empennage · Horizontal Stabilizer — Work Session (1h 26m)
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Empennage · Horizontal Stabilizer — Work Session (3h 35m)
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Empennage · Horizontal Stabilizer — Work Session (1h 9m)
Riveted the spar doubler and hinge brackets, as well as bolted the inboard hinge bracket.
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Arrival of the Aveo Ziptips
Just received the Aveo Ziptips Reno . They are quite pricey but I really like the design and features, there is basically no need for any more additional lighting on the Plane, which is nice... They a…
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Building the Dimpler
Since I still have quite some time before the first kits from Van’s arrive, I decided to make good use of it and take on a small side project: building my own dimpler. I’ll admit, the price of a comme…