Fitting HS Rib And Spar
11/15/2003 Filed in: Horizontal Stabilizer | Mistake
I finishing fitting horizontal stabilizer components and after clecoing all the skins on the horizontal stabilizer, all holes were match drilled. The vinyl coating was stripped using a soldering iron so that the holes could be de-burred and later dimpled. Tami was a tremendous help de-burring all the holes on both skins.

Below, I was trying to drill the main rib, nose rib, and front spar on the left hand side of the horizontal stabilizer. Per the instructions, I measured 1/2 inch from the last hole (shown by the silver cleco), marked and drilled the hole. The hole came out good with the exception that it appeared closer to the edge of the spar reinforcement than I would like. A review of the drawing indicated that the 1/2" mark for the hole in the spar reinforcement should have been 1/2" from the edge of the nose rib FLANGE being held by the silver cleco. I have just over 1 hole diameter from the edge of the spar reinforcement. I would prefer to have 2 hole diameters.
