Category: Trim Tab

So, after the skin of the trim tab cracked, I decided to order a new skin. It was not worth the worry for just a few dollars. So, after a week or two the new skin arrived, and I picked up where I left off. Luckily the bend that broke the first skin is early in the process. This meant there was not much to do. So I got back to work match drilling the skin, spar, and attach brackets.

After this the parts were cleaned up and primed. I did not set up the large paint booth, instead, I used a rattle can primer. It was just easer. Finally, I rived all the parts together, and matched the tab to the elevator. This was it for the tail kit. Now to move on to the wings!

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The elevator trim tab sits on the left elevator and is used to relieve control stick forces. The tab has two foam ribs to maintain the structure. After the foam ribs are fitted to the tab, the ends are bent and match drilled.

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My first attempt was not the best. I practiced on some scraps, but lost everything I had learned when I began on the real thing. I tried to unbend it so I could try again, but when I did, the skin cracked. This made the decision to use this piece pretty easy. Time to order a new one.

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