Started Elevators + some Motivation
March 3, 2010 – I’ve mentioned earlier on this site that the tail kit had been started before I got it. I think I’ve found where he left off. I started the day by making sure the stiffeners for the left elevator were drilled properly. They fit fine, but the skins haven’t been dimpled. Some of the other structure for the elevators hadn’t been dimpled, either. I know I’ve had it easy so far with this project, and it’s been cruising along, but it’s time I started paying my dues.
Before I started dimpling, though, I got to commit some aviation. I’m not yet a pilot, but my neighbor is a Captain for Southwest, and a CFI, so we went out for a little fun today. Took a 172 from McKinney (KTKI) out to Caddo Mills and back again, with a lot of ascents, descents, and turns mixed in. Kind of a pre-training flight for me. I have flown quite a bit before, and I don’t think I scared him off, so we may continue. He’s just trying to find an airplane he can use where insurance will let him train.
Back to the grind. I broke out the C-Frame dimpler, and started on the left elevator skin. I think they came out pretty well for my first time. I did use a dimpler that is pulled with a pop-rivet gun on the holes closest to the leading edge bend, because I couldn’t get the skin to sit flat while being pushed that far into the C-Frame.
Got a little bit of exercise doing this; and the right skin still has to be done.
Time : 2:05