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-   -   Stupid Trim Tab! (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=96803)

alpinelakespilot2000 02-26-2013 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Hill (Post 747745)
Put the Trim Tab in a box, and the replacement parts. Move on.

Come back to the Trim Tab in X years time when you've built the rest. Decide if the rest of the aircraft is so perfectly built that this minor imperfection is the most significant problem - if so, rebuild Trim Tab ;)

This is good, practical advice. It may very well be that you'll want to rebuild it. However, there's no need to do it right now. You'll have much better perspective from which to decide after a couple more years of build experience. I wasted too much money on replacement parts (and shipping!) when I could have easily repaired them per AC43.13. Only realized that later as I gained experience. Good luck.

OLDSAM 02-26-2013 10:09 AM

Riblet is the way
 
I just got a couple of extra elevator ribs, cut off the forward portion, cut off the flanges of the trim tab, and constructed the tab similarly to the rest of the elevator. No hitches, and it looks like the rest of the elevator.

Just my choice, never attempted the bending routine.

DaleB 02-26-2013 11:08 AM

When I finished my tab (for the second time) the EAA tech counselor said it was fine -- and I know it's airworthy, but not perfect. I figure I can build another one later if I don't feel it's up to snuff AFTER building the rest of the plane. Trim tabs are cheap.

Ethan L 02-26-2013 12:34 PM

Trim tab follies
 
I built two trim tabs. The first, I used blind rivets where I could. Then, after I pro-sealed the ribs in and squeezed them into place using the clamping fixture, I noticed an imperfection. If I angled the finished tab just right, I could see two slight indentations in the skin where the ribs are prosealed. I was apoplectic. I lost sleep. I had trim tab nightmares. I decided I would do another.

So I did. I built another trim tab but this time I used solid rivets and I clamped the ribs more loosely to avoid these unsightly indentations. When I was done, I noticed, INDENTATIONS!!

Now I have two perfectly good trim tabs for my RV-9 and worked another 4-9 hours on a trim tab I will probably never need I somehow damage the first.

larrynew 02-26-2013 12:54 PM

Keep building trim tabs until you're happy with one. Don't pass on the chance to have spare scrap material. Here's what one of my early trim tabs became. The plenum for Redneck Airconditioning!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD0J...layer_embedded


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