December 30, 2006 - Mounting the VS to Fuselage
The goal for today was to mount the Vertical Stab (VS).  I started off by fashioning the rear bracket which also doubles as the elevator stop.  This bracket required a lot of cutting because you start with an oversize angle.  Cuts were required down both edges.  The bandsaw made it quick and easy, though. 
Filing and drilling holes required another hour of effort, though. 
Next I cut 5/8" off of the VS forward spar, per the instructions & drawing.  I used the dremel tool to do it.
The instructions say to clamp the forward bracket to the HS forward spar.  I decided to match-drill it using the holes in the HS spar as a template. 
So that I drilled the holes in the proper place on the bracket, I drew lines on the bracket, which I was able to see through the holes on the HS spar.  I drilled a single starter hole in the bracket so that I could cleco the bracket to the spar.
Match-drilling the bracket. 
Almost done.  I think this might be the first time I've ever used the 3/8" clecos.  They work well in a #12 hole that will take an AN-3 bolt.
I bolted the bracket to the HS forward spar.  I'll clamp the VS forward spar to the bracket during alignment. 
Now I'm drilling the rear bracket (elevator stop) to the top deck.  I was careful to drill so that the two holes went through the center of the main longerons. 
AN-3 bolts go in the two outer holes while the three inner holes take 1/8" rivets.
The Vertical Stab sits on the RV for the first time! 
I carefully ensured the VS was vertical by making sure the top was equidistance from the HS tips.  Using the rear bracket as a template, I match-drilled the VS rear spar using the angle-drill.   
Looking aft at the VS rear spar and rear bracket.
 
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