Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 11: Final Install of Stabilator

Reference: Pages 11-03; 4.0 hours

Today's project is to final install the stabilator on the RV-12 airplane.

First came installing the counter balance on the stabilator. Per instructions on page 11-03 of the RV-12 plans.



To help protect the paint on the tailcone, I slipped pieces of cardboard next to the tailcone.



To make the job easier I used 2X4s clamped to a bench to support the stabilator at the correct height.



Builder's note: While installing the tail I knocked off one of the washers that is glued to the stabilator hinge bolt. So rather than taking everything apart I made a washer holder out of a piece of aluminum.



It sure felt great to get the stabilator in place on the airplane. But of course no picture!

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 11: Final Install of Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder

Reference: Pages 11-02, 32-12 ; 2.0 hours

Installed the vertical stabilizer, rudder and attached the rudder cables on the RV-12 airplane. It was all pretty straight forward. One reminder is to put a piece of paper under the rudder on the tailcone to protect the paint during installation.







That's it for this work session on the RV-12 aircraft.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Service Bulletin 14-11-03: Wing Skin to Spar Rivet Wear

Reference: Pages SB 14-11-03; 4.0 hours

This is another one of those service bulletin for the RV-12 airplane that just made sense to install as the wings hadn't been final coated with paint. Again I'm not doing a step by step but will highlight some points.





Builder's note: Be careful to back up the rib tabs, such as pictured above so they don't get bent when driving the rivet out.



Builder's note: I found a nib file used for removing paint run very helpful in leveling the paint around the rivets.









Builder's note: As you can see this one style of rivet leave a section of its mandrel sticking up above the rivet head. I called Van's Aircraft about it and they said to carefully grind it down to the head with removing any material from the rivet head using a Dremel.

This completes this Service Bulletin for the RV-12 airplane wings.