RV Horizontal Stabilizer

From Matronics

The Horizontal Stabilizer (HS) is the first sub-assembly of the empennage kit. The HS is made up of a front and rear spar, ribs, and skins. The front and rear spars are made up of aluminum ribs with stiffeners riveted to them for reinforcement. The front and rear spars are then riveted to the remaining ribs, and the entire skeleton is then closed using the left and right HS skins.

The process of building the HS introduces the builder to many of the skills which will be used throughout the project. Some of the skills used include:

• Removal of excess material to form parts to their final size and shape
• match drilling
• deburring of holes
• dimpling
• edge deburring
• priming of parts
• Riveting using both a Rivet Squeezer and Rivet Gun as well as back riveting flush rivets.

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