This morning I put HS-601PP (skins) on the cleco'd horizontal stabilizer spars.  I was debating on whether or not I needed to build some type of jig to ensure a proper alignment of the horizontal stabilizer as Van's instructions makes no reference to building a jig.  I eventually decided against building a jig for the HS and it appears with all of Van's pre-punching, that the stabilizer assembles "true" without any jigs.  The pre-punched holes are AMAZING.  If they don't line-up, there is a really good chance something is not put together correctly.

 

Tami helped me for about 1/2 hour today taking off the skins. In retrospect, building a jig for the HS is not necessary, but it would be really nice just for working with the HS.

After I "dry fit" the horizontal stabilizer skins, I took off only to realize that I could have fit, marked, and drilled the horizontal main ribs (HS-405) and nose ribs (HS-404).  So I put the left side skin back on and fit the main rib HS-405.

Additionally, I performed the step that countersunk the four holes on the reinforcement angle pieces on the forward HS spar (HS-710 & HS-714).  I also dimpled those corresponding holes on the HS-702 front spar.  This was my first time trying to setup the micro-stop countersink.  I sure seemed like I removed alot of material, but it was the minimum amount which allowed the HS-702 spar to lay flat against the spar reinforcements.

Reading ahead in the instructions, It appears that having a right angle drill will be very helpful to ensure accurate match drilling of the main rib (HS-405) and nose rib (HS-404).  I ordered a right angle drill with bits from Cleaveland Tool.