Matt's RV-8 Project



Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
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Date:  12-25-2011
Number of Hours:  1.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Mounting The Horizontal Stabilizer - Part 01

I was going to start the wiring next, but I decided that it might be a good idea to look back at my very own builder's log to see what the order of events originally were. What a novel idea. So, with that approach, the next order of business was mounting the horizontal stabilizer to the fuselage. That seemed like fun, so I headed to the Family Room where I'm storing all of the new and old pieces of the RV-8 and retrieved the horizontal stab and took it out to the shop. To make sure that you get it mounted correctly, you have to first level the fuselage both left and right and fore and aft. I have two digital levels that make that process pretty straightforward. Once that was complete, the horizontal stab is placed on the tail end of the fuselage and more leveling measurements are taken and verified. Once everything looks good, the horizontal stab is C-clamped to the fuselage and then the rear four bolt holes are drilled. Since the stab already had holes in it from the first time around, they served as perfect alignment and pilot holes. Drilling the holes for the front mount was a little more tedious as there's no easy way to get a drill in there to reach to the inner holes. Fortunately the right angle pneumatic drill with a stubby bit got in there pretty well and I only got a couple of scratches. The shims for the front where reusable from the first time, so that speeded up the process. Eight -3 bolts, washers, and nuts later and - waa la - instant airplane! Its starting to look like Ruby Vixen again! Yahoo!
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Leveling The Fuselage

Leveling The Fuselage

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Leveling The Fuselage

Leveling The Fuselage

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Leveling The Fuselage

Leveling The Fuselage

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