[TX_Flyer]

These aren't shown on the plans, do I ignore them or drill and rivet? My inclination is to drill and rivet. Just looking for what others have done.

 

[D-Dubya]

I just looked at my old style RV-7 rudder that I have in the shop (with the folded trailing edge) and it doesn't have those extra holes. My drawings for the new style rudder don't have those holes, either. I'll be at the airport later today and can see if my actual rudder has those holes or not--unless someone else chimes in. That's a high stress area, so I'd be reluctant to just guess.

 

[Desert Rat]

I noticed the same thing a few years ago when I was building my rudder and called Vans about it. The response was that part is also used on the RV14 rudder and that what this holes are for. They told me that on the 7 I could either match drill the spar and install rivets or I could ignore them.

I chose to ignore them, but a couple of years later, it turned out be the perfect spot to rivet on a wire tie mount for the wire going to tail strobe...

 

[D-Dubya]

BTW, I just looked at my new style rudder, and it does have those extra holes in the plate. Apparently I threw caution to the wind and put rivets in them, just like the other holes. The drawing I have on the memory stick from Van's doesn't show them, but it's entirely possible the paper copy that came with the new rudder did show them. I got the replacement rudder from Van's well after the 14 came out, so that would explain the commonality.