E-mail the Rocketmen:
Rick Mentel
Chuck Nuffer

Last updated: 08/07/08
Horizontal Stab

Rick built the rear spar of the horizontal stabilizer per the plans. Nothing really fancy here just a lot of rivets!

We built our H-stab jig some time ago but are just getting around to using it. It is built from scrap square aluminum tube we had around the shop. After we leveled the jig, Rick checked the alignment with a string through the center of the hinge braces. 

The assembly was removed from the jig and all the holes cleaned up before riveting. We riveted the assembly together per the plans. We chose not to rivet the center ribs for the moment so we can buck the skin rivets and then we will add the two center ribs. We bought our selves a pneumatic rivet squeezer for Christmas......... man is that thing the cats meow.

After the assembly is riveted together, we’ll put it back in the jig and square it up for the skins.

Rick remounted the H Stab skeleton in the Jig and check it for square. Then the moment of truth the first “blind” holde is drilled. Our EAA chapter President, Mike Foote helped Rick with this task. I was to scared to be involved......... After drilling what seemed like a million holes the first side of the skins is drilled and clecoed. after drilling both sides Rick used pine boards and all thread rod to clamp the backside of the skins for drilling.

All the holes have been drilled and dimpeled on the skins and frame. We are awaiting a tech inspection from our EAA tech conseler. After the inspection is complete we’ll rivet the skins to the skeleton.

Rivet from the center out, as per instructions. Notice TR-HS-004 is not inserted at this time so we’d have access inside the assembly to buck solid rivets for TR-HS-007.

Second skin is set into place….notice the “inside” nut is still attached to the tip rib.

Monitor the assembly for warpage when riveting the skins – this was checked at least a dozen times while riveting the skins to the skeleton.

READY…SET…rivet… READY…SET…rivet… READY…SET…rivet…

Did we mention the “inside” nut is still attached to the tip rib??? Don’t forget to remove it before riveting the second side of the skins.

We chose to drive flush rivets on both sides of TR-HS-007 as opposed to using blind rivets. This option takes a lot of patience, and a little blood!

Notice the amount of “spring” on the skin.

Once the “inside” nut is removed from the tip rib, prepare the first skin/second side for riveting.

Finally!!! Released from the bonds of the H Stab assembly fixture. Riveting along the trailing edge will be done with the pneumatic squeezer. We’ll have to use the rivet gun to drive the tip rib rivets, as even the long-reach yolk of the squeezer won’t quite span the gap.