SonexBuilders.net

Hi All,

Just an update on the chapter 555 Waiex build. 6 weeks into the build and we're about ready to start putting the forward fuselage on the tail cone. We've run into a little head scratching with the way Sonex did the plans but we should have it figured out before we're done ;)

We decided (after much math, debate and googeling) to go with AD rivets on the tail post. The limiting factor on the tail post appears to rivet bearing and tearout and considering the "challanges" with making room for the pulled rivets we figured it was the best way to go for us.

we put the shop heads on the inside on the hinge side and outside on the other.

we're pretty happy with how the "Y" fits.

...just a glamor shot of the tail feathers ;)

...the best hockey stick bender in the business (retired missile engineer from WSMR and key member of the chapter build team)

Looks good Fritz! I can never figure out how you guys can bolt up the Y fitting after. I did mine before. I count myself as a premier hockey stick bender, with 3 under my belt. Of course to get there I had to screw up some critical hockey stick holes during tail mounting!

Looks like a reasonable solution! I did do it the way the plans show and it does work, I just had to bend the portion with the hinge out a little to make room for the tail post stack (as the plans call for.)

We were worried that bending the hinge side out a little would make the hinge and/or rudder stop plate go a little wonky. This seemed like the simplest solution, especially since we had all the rivets and tools right there.

The "plans way" obviously works well, it just takes a little more fiddling with.