Chapter 6: The Rudder

This is not a huge task, in that, the rudder isn’t built to completion. The basic tasks are:

a. To remove the peel ply (for those that haven’t experienced this lesson in patience, I’m afraid that my descriptive powers are severely lacking as I am completely unable to describe what a miserable job this is);

b. To build a small jig to level the skin, build the ribs, spar and the servo access door. One trick, imparted by Carsten, was to leave the spar cap till after the hinges are mounted as getting to the spar past the curve in the leading edge would be pretty tough.

 

A few things learned along the way…

  1. The Dremel® is your friend. However, the black glass fiber re-enforced cutting wheels are consumed at a phenomenal rate and at around $1.20 each, it becomes pretty spendy.
  2. The follow onto 1. Above is that Harbor Freight® is also your friend. It has a set of 5 diamond cutting wheels, for around $8, which are indestructible. I’ve been using one for over 8 months and it still cuts like new. (Needless to say I am delighted that something does not require constant replacement, and is really reasonably priced considering the general gouging aviators have to suffer)

Chapter 7: The Wings

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