Started flaps
September 12, 2011 – I started the flaps by sorting and clecoing the ribs to the spars. It was a little mind-bending putting the left- and right-handed ribs in the correct locations.
The bottom skins for the flaps are interesting in that they have the aft spar bent into them. The short inner ribs get riveted to that “spar”. The instructions allow for spacers to be installed as required. I don’t think any of mine require spacers at this location except for one. This is what the typical gap looks like for me:
The flaps hinge at the lower skin, and the hinge must be drilled at this point. I started by drawing a line along the length of the hinges on both sides at 1/4″. This will ensure that the hinge is straight and that I will have good edge distance for the rivets.
With these lines drawn, I clamped the hinge in place, and made sure I could see the line through the lower skin rivet holes.
I drilled all of the holes in the hinges.
After the hinges and the bottom skins were all drilled, I slid the top skins in place and clecoed them.
The top skins require shims at the trailing edges of the inboard and outboard ribs. I made these per the plans. They are 1 7/8″ by 5/8″. You drill a rivet hole in a specified position, then put the shim where it belongs to drill the other holes. I drew a center line from the first placement hole so I would know the hinge was in the perfect spot.
When I put the shims in place, and clecoed them, I could see the center line that I’d drawn. I knew I could drill the second hole.
I then drilled all the remaining holes for the top skin.
This is the left flap. I still need to drill the top skin for the right.
Time: 3:10
