Greg Arehart
Well Known Member
I have been installing the empennage on my 9A and today test fit the bottom fiberglass tip of the rudder while the rudder is installed on the VS. To my surprise, it hangs down about an inch below the fuselage and binds when the rudder is swung either way. This cannot be right, as I have not seen hanging rudders in any photos, and it seems very unaerodynamic. The simple cure seems to be to trim the fiberglass tip (top part where it is riveted to the metal attachment strips on the rudder) by about an inch. That would allow the bottom forward portion of the fiberglass tip to be slightly above and in line with the fuselage and nest in the space behind the VS. However, I wanted to see whether there is something that I'm missing before cutting. (the top and sides of the rudder all look normal and line up perfectly with the VS).
thanks,
greg
thanks,
greg