UPDATED IN RED: I am finishing up my left elevator and have been jerked to a sudden stop by what appears to be an incorrectly punched row of holes. The outboard-most row of holes seem to be mis-aligned with the tail skin (and, likely, future fiberglass tip). I was able to Cleco the length of the two interior rows but the outboard row does not line up with the skin holes below. In addition, the aft-most hole on the outboard-most line doesn't have proper edge distance. After a consultation with Van's, this hole should be 1/4" from outer edge of the hole to the end of the strip on both sides. Mine are1/8". They will be sending me two replacement pieces.
I have talked with Van's and they are looking into the problem. I have no idea if just my set of pieces are affected or it is a more general problem. (I suspect the latter.) But, if you are building the elevators, check this piece and its fit to the skin before working with it. For me, I'm stopping work at Elevator Assembly Page 09-20 until this issue is resolved. No problem, as I have plenty of work to yet do on the other elevator and the horizontal stab. I was able to pick up at page 09-22 and complete the elevators except this elevator counterbalance skin.
If you haven't followed my vertical stab and rudder posts, the tail is coming together incredibly fast and easy! The kit has been a joy to work with this being the first (and only) issue with parts (or KAIs). If one is on the cutting edge, you have to expect a few surprises.
The circled hole at the end of the problematic line doesn't have appropriate edge distance, a hint the the line isn't properly placed. After a consultation with Van's, this hole should be 1/4" from outer edge of the hole to the end of the strip on both sides. Mine is 1/8". They will be sending me two replacement pieces.
The two inboard (lower) lines of holes line up perfectly with the holes in the elevator skin and two ribs below (although I hadn't put the outer rib in place during this photo). The outboard (upper) line of holes does NOT line up with the holes in the underlying skin.
I have talked with Van's and they are looking into the problem. I have no idea if just my set of pieces are affected or it is a more general problem. (I suspect the latter.) But, if you are building the elevators, check this piece and its fit to the skin before working with it. For me, I'm stopping work at Elevator Assembly Page 09-20 until this issue is resolved. No problem, as I have plenty of work to yet do on the other elevator and the horizontal stab. I was able to pick up at page 09-22 and complete the elevators except this elevator counterbalance skin.
If you haven't followed my vertical stab and rudder posts, the tail is coming together incredibly fast and easy! The kit has been a joy to work with this being the first (and only) issue with parts (or KAIs). If one is on the cutting edge, you have to expect a few surprises.
The circled hole at the end of the problematic line doesn't have appropriate edge distance, a hint the the line isn't properly placed. After a consultation with Van's, this hole should be 1/4" from outer edge of the hole to the end of the strip on both sides. Mine is 1/8". They will be sending me two replacement pieces.
The two inboard (lower) lines of holes line up perfectly with the holes in the elevator skin and two ribs below (although I hadn't put the outer rib in place during this photo). The outboard (upper) line of holes does NOT line up with the holes in the underlying skin.
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