The empennage jig

[WenEng]

Vans told me that the older plan books had the sketches. They said the newer plans moved much sketch info into the plan drawings. However, that was not always the case and I asked on this board and received some sketches called for in my plan book.

[wrongway john]

Originally Posted by WenEng

Vans told me that the older plan books had the sketches. They said the newer plans moved much sketch info into the plan drawings. However, that was not always the case and I asked on this board and received some sketches called for in my plan book.

Even if it may have certain things covered in the blueprints, it?s kind of hard to know what specific part they are referencing in the construction manual. These figures go up to 6.17 in my manual, so that?s a heck of a lot of figures to be scratching our heads on. If Van?s won?t bother to send the older sketches or drawings, I?ll do what another suggested and start a new thread to see if others here may be able to help.

Originally Posted by rvator51
The figures that are referred to are in the chapter text sections not in the plans. For Fig 6-9 and 6-10, see Chapter 6 "The Empennage" and look on pages 6-8 and 6-9.

Unfortunately, that?s not the case with these newer construction manuals. I?ve spent more hours on this trying to find it than I care to admit.

Originally Posted by beep
I have the same problem with the missing figure 6.x in the RV4 plans. I'm in touch with Van's about it but they don't seem to understand exactly what I'm after. They said they would send out a new set of plans, but I suspect they will be missing the figures as well.

Chris, I received a new set of plans that came with my airframe kits in May of this year, and you're right, there is no difference. I wrote Van?s yesterday, and will keep you apprised of what they tell me.

[Rick6a]

Originally Posted by wrongway john

I?ve gone through my construction plans and blueprints several times and haven?t found any diagrams or dimensions on how to go about building the empennage jig, but it is constantly referring to it........ what do you recommend?

I can't imagine the sketch for the RV4 empennage jig is all that much different than the
sketch is for the RV6:

[WenEng]

You can count on Rick to share his knowledge..... and sketches..

[wrongway john]

Yeah, Rick really came through for us on the empennage. Thanks Rick. That makes it more clear as to what figures they are referring too in reference to the jig, and the sketch also explains the bracket they kept referring us to as well.

I checked to see if this problem of missing figures continues through the wing and fuselage sections on the 4 construction manual, but it appears all of the figures are listed in those chapters, thank goodness. I still haven?t heard from Van?s through my e-mail, but they are generally good on getting back. Regardless, I?ll start a new thread on these missing figures and sketches in a few days since many seem to have these missing from their empennage section. If Van?s doesn?t supply us with these, maybe somebody else will help.

Doing another quick read of section six which is only 13 pages of text, I found references to figures 26 times that go up to 6.17, but not a one is in there, so it really makes it difficult to get a grasp on what they are talking about on quite a bit of this stuff. And with the sketches it says to refer to SK6-1, SK6-2, and SK6-4 some 6 different times. I didn?t see anything referring to SK6-3, but it does have that sketch listed in the back of the section for it.

[wrongway john]

A couple of days ago, Joe B. from Van?s sent me adobe files of all of the missing figures. It also has the empennage listed. For the empennage, it?s very much like the sketch that Rick showed for the RV-6, except it uses 115?-117? for the inside dimension. If anyone is missing this out of their newer construction manuals, just PM me with your e-mail, and I?ll get it right to you along with the other missing figures too if you don?t have that as well. I?ll start a new thread on that soon.

[jjglennon]

Just a quick clarification for a rookie:

True or False: The arms of the jig should not be level with each other. The main spar web is the thing that needs to be level so plumb lines fall through the matching holes in the rear spar correctly and the skeleton becomes square. ???

John

[PlaneBuilderBill]

Just a note from an old woodworker....don't use 4 x 4s. They are notorious for subtile twists and not staying straight and true. Always use two 2 x 4s screwed or nailed together to create a 4 x 4. The two pieces of wood work against each other to stay way straighter!

Thanks.....