Matt’s RV7 Build Log

I started on the trim tab tonight, but quickly got into a little trouble. The wood break I made for bending the elevator skin tabs does not have interlocking top half. So when I tightened the C-clamps the inside half slipped out causing a slight kink in the trib tab skin. It’s minor and helps “customize” my -7 but after that I hung up my tools for the night.

Tasks Competed:

• Began riveting skin to skeleton
• Mark elevator tab for drilling
• Started working on trim tab 

Today I played hooky from work. I got some good quality time in with the construction. Discovered my work on the left counterweight was a screw-up. I could probably add some weight back once it comes time to balance but I decided to keep everything neat and tidy. So I ordered a new E714 from Vans. Next up I etched and primed the left elevator structure. It was in the low 40’s outside but the primer seemed to go on alright.

I began to set up for bending the trim tab cut out on the left skin. I need to go to a friends shop to get a good straight cut on the piece of oak that will be my bending jig. After setting that aside I decided to finish up the servo mount. I built a little wood jig to help me countersink the coverplate neatly. I had previously dimpled the cover plate so I need a small piece of wood the cleco onto the plate without any distorting. It worked out great. With the brackets mounted I installed the servo motor. Only now I can’t seem to get the assembly to fit into its hole on the skin.

Tasks Completed:    

• Etched and primed left elevator assembly
• Set up left elevator skin for the trim tab bend
• Riveted servo mount brackets on coverplate

We just got back from a long weekend in Vegas. It was nice be in the warm desert before our winter really kicks into high gear. Now back to the project!

• Clecoed left elevator skeleton together
• Cut away right counterweight per plans

Note: Holes in the outboard right elevator spar doubler and the E701R spar are slightly off set by approx. 1/32″. I need to contact Van’s to confirm this is within tolerances. Update (11.20.07): Joe B. at Van’s says its no issue as long as no torsion is created in the spar by trying the force the clecoes in place (which is not happening in my case). Problem resolved.

–Finished assembling rudder skeleton
–match drilled counterbalance skin
–match drilled ribs, rudder horn, and lower spar

I fixed the counterbalance skin fit problem by shaping the counterweight a little more and by starting the clecos from the front and working backwards.

–Drilled VS 707 to 702 hole to #5
–Riveted VS 707 to 702
–Clecoed skin to VS skeleton 

–Riveted VS rear spar and skeleton

Note: Bad rivet on VS 707 to 702 caused bending in the rib flange. I don’t like the looks of it and need to fix.

–Finished deburring HS skeleton
–Dimpled HS skins

The job and family kept me busy this past month. It felt good to dive back into the HS. Annabelle helped me dimple the skins tonight.

–Assembled right HS skeleton and skin 

–Prepped HS ribs
–Began drilling Left HS skeleton
–Started match drilling HS skin