SECTION 6: VERTICAL STABILIZER

Build Instruction Updates

• 10/05/21 06_10.pdf

Check for more recent updates here

Before You Start

Special/New Tools/Supplies

• A 3/8" Ratcheting Wrench can be pretty helpful

Modifications to Consider

• Some people decide to put a VOR antenna at the top of the vertical stabilizer. Although possible later it might be best to plan for that during build.

Builder Videos

Plane Lady:

• 6-2
• 6-2 and 6-3
• 6-3
• 6 first rivets
• 6-5, 6-6

Jason Ellis:

• 6-2 Step 1 and 2
• 6-2 Step 3
• 6-3 Step 1-3
• 6-3 Step 4-5
• 6-3 Step 6-7
• 6-3 Step 8-11
• 6-4 Step 1-4
• 6-4 Step 5-7
• 6-5 Step 1-3
• 6-6 Step 1-4
• 6-6 Step 5-9

Notes

• When first putting the nose rib in, don't ram in in there and cleco. Be gentle, and it will probably need to be sanded down. Otherwise you will have "outtie" dents on the leading edge of your skin.
• These ribs have been sanded a bit and the web was fluted at the tip trying to bring the flanges closer together, but it still wasn't enough.

• This is going to be some of the most difficult riveting for your whole building experience: you are new to riveting, the skin is fairly thin, the access is difficult, and the nose portions aren't straight. Just know it gets easier!
• If you ruin a skin you won't be the first person; many builders have ruined the VS skin and had to order a replacement.
• If you really mess up a rivet, drill it out. You will need to get good at drilling out rivets because you'll drill out quite a few of them. Here are some instructions: Drilling Out Rivets

• Before you start riveting, put some electrical tape on your bucking bar. It will help to not beat up the AlClad or scratch off your primer if you did that.

• AN426AD3-3.5 rivets fastening the skins to the ribs may actually be a bit long for the .050" total skin thickness. (Ideal length would be .191") If you have trouble with these rivets leaning over instead of driving straight, consider taking off .020-.030" or using 3-3's instead.

• Page 6-5, Figure 2: This may be your first time using AN3 bolts. Be sure to refer to the torque specs in Section 5 and consider adding torque seal as well. Torque specs don't apply to the AN509 machine screws, however.