Updates on Vertical Stab

The blue stuff I found around some of the rivets was blue tape put on the flat rivet set to prevent marring of the skins.  So that is a non issue now.

Next, this is the email reply from vans regarding the rear spar cap doubler:

This gap looks to me like they missed a step in dimpling/countersinking and you may possibly have a dimple sitting on a flat piece to create this gap. It could also just simply be that when this part was match drilled to the spar it was not clamped tight against the flange. Either way this is not a very desirable situation. I would recommend you dismantle and fix.

Sterling

Van's Aircraft

I'll drill out the left side of the spar cap to make sure there are dimples.  Next I'll put plenty of clamps down to keep the cap flush to the spar then rivet.  I'll put this on hold for now until I have some experience under my belt with drilling out rivets.

Vertical Stab

After reading the pertinent information in the first 5 sections of the manual, it was time to go through the work of the previous builder.  Although just looking at the rudder as a newbie builder, its a work of art.  Work of art doesn't mean its airworthy though, it is, after all, a critical flight control surface.  Everything in this kit will be scrutinized to the best of my ability using the plans, Vans, and VAF until I deem it airworthy.

Right off the bat (and really hard to see in the picture) seems some rivets were set with the blue plastic on.  On some of the rivets, there are blue specs underneath the rivets. hmmm...  The problem with this is these rivets are not only on the top and bottom ribs,  but also the middle ribs.  So this skin may have to be completely removed or at least ether the top or bottom rib (depending on the which way the middle rib flange faces) in order get to the middle  rivets.

The next area of concern is the left spar cap to rear spar.  The right side does not have a gap but left does as you can see in the picture.  Seems like the previous builder might not have put on sufficient camps on to hold it flush to the rear spar riveting. 

 

 

The gap is small but nonetheless present.  I will shoot off an email to Vans with this post to get their advise.

 

There are 3 holes riveted on the rear spar doubler that were supposed to be left open.  I have added this to the to do list to remember to drill out before empennage assembly. 

 

That's about all the issues I have seen with the vertical stabilizer.