Aligning the VERTICAL STAB on Extra 300
10-22-2003 | 07:38 PM
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From: Goldsboro, NC
Aligning the VERTICAL STAB on Extra 300
Hey guys i have been working on my first kit a Columbo Anderon 27% extra and i am at the point to mount the horizontal stabs and the vertical stab. I am not sure the proper way or ideas on how to make sure it is mounted right, i will fly some rookie IMAC with this so i would like it close. Guys I would appreciatte any responses.. [X(]
10-25-2003 | 01:49 AM
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RE: Aligning the VERTICAL STAB on Extra 300
I just noticed your post, so I'm sorry you haven't gotten an earlier response.
Hopefully, you haven't attached you canopy to the fuselage yet. You're going to use the cockpit deck as a baseline to find level. I doubt that any other readily accessable reference point is available.
Set your fuselage up in a manner that places it level along it's length. Place a small level, or the gauge part of an incidence meter (preferred tool) on the floor of the cockpit, across the floor. Check the level of the wing saddle by placing another level up against the saddle bottom while the cockpit level is still in place. Compare the readings. If they are the same, or really, really close, we're in business.
Now, place you horizontal stab in the slot or whatever, and after aligning it so that you are equal distances from the stab tips to the nose, check to make sure that its level with the wing saddle and the cockpit floor. When correct, mark it, and then fix it in place.
The stab will be your reference for the vertical stabilizer. Set you Vert. stab in place and use a triangle (large one) with the inside corner cut out, against the fin while resting on the stab. Square it up, and glue in place after eyeballing the whole assembly from about 8 to 10 feet back. It's amazing how the eye can pickup tiny differences from that distance. It's a good idea to place your plane in or on some sort of a stand so you can temporarily install the main wing before you eyball the unit as a whole. You definitely want to be sure that the horizontal stab and the main wing are in exact level alignment.
Good building,
Pat
Hopefully, you haven't attached you canopy to the fuselage yet. You're going to use the cockpit deck as a baseline to find level. I doubt that any other readily accessable reference point is available.
Set your fuselage up in a manner that places it level along it's length. Place a small level, or the gauge part of an incidence meter (preferred tool) on the floor of the cockpit, across the floor. Check the level of the wing saddle by placing another level up against the saddle bottom while the cockpit level is still in place. Compare the readings. If they are the same, or really, really close, we're in business.
Now, place you horizontal stab in the slot or whatever, and after aligning it so that you are equal distances from the stab tips to the nose, check to make sure that its level with the wing saddle and the cockpit floor. When correct, mark it, and then fix it in place.
The stab will be your reference for the vertical stabilizer. Set you Vert. stab in place and use a triangle (large one) with the inside corner cut out, against the fin while resting on the stab. Square it up, and glue in place after eyeballing the whole assembly from about 8 to 10 feet back. It's amazing how the eye can pickup tiny differences from that distance. It's a good idea to place your plane in or on some sort of a stand so you can temporarily install the main wing before you eyball the unit as a whole. You definitely want to be sure that the horizontal stab and the main wing are in exact level alignment.
Good building,
Pat
