Today I finished off the rudder.  Went together like a simpler version of the Vertical Stabilizer.  I had the same problems with the squeeze rivets that I read about on other build logs but after several tries it all came together

 Here is a look at all the parts ready for assemble

Here I have the upper squeeze rivets in

A little help from Ed

And my daughter the future pilot

Look how proud she is of her work

The finished parts

We have our first Aircraft Part

The goal today was to finish the Vertical Stabilizer.  I started out with all of the parts that I would need primered and ready to go.  I assembled the Christmas tree without any problem.

Then I went on to work with the skins.  I put in the counter sink holes with the dimple dies and riveted in the nuts

Then I proceeded to cleco in the skins

Ed finally showed up to help with the riveting

And we have a finished part

Met the Guys at EAA Chapter 723

This morning I went to my first meeting of the EAA local chapter 723.  I was introduced to everyone and met a number of RV builders.  I’m told there is a member that built an RV-12 in a few months and another member that is building one a few miles from my house.  I hope to meet them both soon. 

Then it was off to fly the Cutlass for an hour or so.

This afternoon I went to work on the parts that I had trashed last weekend.  I built two new uppers spar caps and they came out great. 

Then I went on to drill out some bad rivets I put in last weekend and replace then.  Again it all came out great.  

My neighbor Ed has signed up to help me with this build.  Here he is deburring some ribs

We got all the ribs deburred, fluted and primed.  Tomorrow we can put it all together

High Dollar Aircraft Parts

I got good news today.   Federal Express called and they have approved my claim for the damaged parts.  They sent out a check this afternoon.

Then I went out my front door and what did I see.  A box that said “High Dollar Aircraft Parts”.  Checks on the way and the parts are sitting on my doorstep. 

Lower Spar Caps

Today I got the lower spar caps cut and match drilled to the spar.

Then I went on to do the upper spar caps.  Not being able to tell the difference between 5/16 of an inch and 7/16 of an inch (don't ask) I buggered them both up.  Off to Vans for a new spar cap.

Upper and Lower hinge assembly

I started out like everyone seems to...building the upper and lower hinge assembly.  All went well. 

Cutting.. 

Fitting..

Priming..

Finish..

Damage to the Stabilator Skins

Yesterday I inventoried all my parts.  Everything was in the kit.  The only problem I had was some damage to the Stabilator Skins.  It looks like a forklift went through the wood of the crate and jammed up the skins.  Since both the skins are packed together the damage was done to both the left and right skin (HS-1201- R & L).  I will send pictures and see what Vans has to say about this.  I don’t know if they will send new skins or want me to work with these