JVL’s RV-14: Empennage, Rudder (Part 8)

This blog was created to memorialize the building process of my Van's Aircraft RV-14 and to satisfy the requirements for certification in the Experimental Amateur Built Aircraft category. It will also serve as a central location for ME to reference in the future on processes and techniques I used during the build. Additionally, it will allow my family, friends, and other interested builders the opportunity to follow along during my build…..and might be helpful to someone along the way.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Empennage, Rudder (Part 8)

I finished all the final drilling last night. As I found out in the plans, and from reading several discussions in the VAF Forums, the RV-14 Rudder Skins do not get final drilled. The reason is the pre-punched holes come from Van's already punched to their final size. So, I continued with the plans and removed the Left/Right Skins from the Rudder Skeleton along with the Trailing Edge Wedge. Once the skins were removed, I scuffed the areas that make contact with the Trailing Edge Wedge with a grey Scotchbrite and put a slight break (Lap Joint) on the the trailing edges with my Edge Forming Tool. Next was to disassemble the remainder of the Rudder Skeleton.

I started the deburring process and was able to complete the Right Skin before I stopped for the night. I will continue deburring tomorrow.