The left elevator consists of three ribs, one skin, a hinge to connect to the Horizontal Stab and one for the Trim Tab. The elevator is assembled first, then the hinge installed. Then trim tab and hinge are assembled. The trim tab skin is attached to the left elevator skin and remains attached throughout the assembly to ensure alignment.
Note – Use caution! It is suggested you use a drill stop through the following procedures as it is easy to damage the opposing skins when drilling on the relatively thin cross sections of the control surfaces.
** NOTE - Regarding rivet options for hinge: The side of the hinge that attaches to the control surface will be a protruding head rivet, EXCEPT for the trim tab (depends if you are using countersunk or protruding head rivets on your skin). The side of the hinge that attaches to the main structure will use the rivet type you are using on the skin, and length according to rivet length guidelines.
**Note - some builders prefer stainless steel rivets on the hinges for the additional shear strength.
Assembly overview
1.Prepare parts for assembly – see Parts Preparation
2.Trim the two inboard ribs
3.Fit the ribs to the skin.
4.Fit the hinge to the skin
5.Up drill
6.Dimple, deburr and rivet
7.Fit the trim tab spar and support
8.Fit the hinge to the trim tab
9.Detach trim tab skin
10.Updrill
11.Dimple, deburr and rivet
