Tail 'stuff'... and other 'stuff'.

While waiting for my PFD and prop motor to come back (prop motor hasnt even shipped yet...), working on the tail.

Tailcone fasteners are riveted in.  Elevator fairings are on, minus a few fasteners I am waiting for.  Rudder fairing is on.  Rudder base fairing is in process... I am over thinking this one.

Horizontal stab fairing fasteners are on, still need to bond the two pieces together.

Need to make the tabs for the pins.

Another builder is going to machine me a new rudder hinge that is offset.  Need to rivet the stop to the yoke of the rudder.  Hinge is complete as of Jan 20, 2025... just waiting for it to arrive.

PFD is back and installed.  Funny story... there was a USB stick in the rear USB port on the display... and I think to myself, someone forgot to take it out.  So I take it out and put it in my pocket to return.  THEN I read this instructions that came in the box... they upgraded the software, and I need to upgrade the OTHER display and all the devices on the skyview network.  OK - will do that tomorrow I tell myself.  Then I couldnt remember where I put the USB stick.  Finally found it... all upgraded and done.

Pitch change motor has arrived in New Zealand.  Hoping for a week turn around.

Cut the holes in the fuselage for the flap tracks to go... that was fun!  NOT.  The fiberglass there is REALLY thick.

Installed the eyebolts in the wings, and drilled the rivets, installed the doublers, and the eyebolt on the vertical fin.  Wings are now properly stowed.  Having the wings swung back makes the tail REALLY heavy.  The T3 suspension certainly felt it.

Next is fuel lines from the wings to the fuselage!

Turned the engine over with 1 set of plugs out.  Took a good 60 seconds to see any oil pressure.  But it came up to 80 PSI on the starter alone.  Still need to install and clamp the breather exit.  Hose procured.

Horizontal Stab, Elevator Fairings, Tail Cone, Elevator Trim

The Sportsman has been in the hangar for a couple months... progress has been slooooow.  But finally starting to pick up some speed.

There is so much to do... almost an overwhelming amount.  So I finally decided to focus on the tail.

Elevator fairings:

Initially I fitted the elevator fairings.  Followed the manual, got everything trimmed and drilled.  And THEN I mounted the elevator and tried to align the horizontal stab portion of the fairing.  Well.... they HS portion is not long enough... or more accurately the elevator portion is too wide!

The problem... I already drilled the holes.  However, I only drilled them with #40 bits (not #19 as specified in the manual).  I had to cut 0.75" off each side in order to get them to align, and then carefully mark and redrill the holes.  

Then I figured I would just do EVERYTHING on the tail.  So onto the tailcone.

I had to cut a slot in the bottom for the tailwheel cable lock (not a steerable tailwheel - but a fully castering, lockable, not steerable tailwheel).  The slot has weakened the tailcone... so planning on 2 additional fasteners at the bottom in addition to the standard 4.  I still need to make the slot slightly longer, and put a grommet on the cable.

While I had everything apart, I put in the elevator pushrod and temporarily connected it.  Man, the elevator is HEAVY without any counterweights.

Then reassembly to start on the rudder base fairing.

That sucker is going to need a lot of trimming.

PROBLEM... my lower rudder hinge is not in the right spot for my rudder.  The lower rudder hinge and vertical stab spar was installed by another builder.  I will need to offset my hinge 0.2" to port.  Will have to get a new bracket machined...  Need to disassemble to do so.

Time for a lot of fasteners!