Rudder Trailing Edge, Part Duex

[etocr]

Hi Gang,

You may recall that I might have "over-breaked" the rudder's trailing edge.

https://vansairforce.net/threads/my-first-trailing-edge….231820/#post-1812422

I did what some suggested and prepped a couple of pieces of angle iron to clecko to the trailing edge. As you can see, I was not able to "squeeze" out the wrinkles.

Is this still repairable? Or should I throw in the towel and reskin the rudder?

Thanks...

 

[czechsix]

Is this still repairable? Or should I throw in the towel and reskin the rudder?

From what I can see, I think it will be fine structurally and aerodynamically. If it were my rudder I'd redo it for aesthetic reasons, but if doesn't bother you then rivet and move on...

 

[Dr_Dave_MT]

It is fine. You have several more Trailing Edges to do. Relax, take them slow. Later in the life of your airplane if you want a re-do you'll have lots of experience.

 

[georgemohr]

That looks quite a bit improved from the previous version IIRC. Like others, I say build on!

Check one more thing. Are the countersinks in the wedge deep enough to allow the skin to lay flat on them?

 

[etocr]

Hi Gang, a follow-up…

I took everyone’s advice and I “chilled-out”…. Then went ahead and riveted the rudder TE using the Avery Van’s Rudder Dimple-Dies and a pneumatic squeezer.

Result is not pretty if you are a Van’s builder but my non-flying neighbors thought it looked great.

The TE is not completely-straight. I clamped a straight-edge along the TE and then put a flashlight behind to expose the 2-3mm gaps.

Here are the results. Besides aesthetics, am I good to go? All comments, criticisms, and snide remarks are appreciated…

Thanks!

 

[lipper03]

I'd say some gaps are normal and very per builder, mine is pictured. So you'll just have a little more rudder trim work to possibly do in the future when you're flying. I would not think there is anything structurally wrong, so you have the choice of all builders, strive for perfection, or build on... as I've heard many times and I tend to use, "we're not building a space shuttle."

 

[georgemohr]

Build on, you can come back to this in the future and build a new rudder if it makes you crazy. And when you do the next TE, I'd really recommend ditching the double sided tape approach for the proseal and cleco to the aluminum angle approach. The proseal setting against that angle makes getting a straight TE almost automatic.