Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 11: Final Install AST Tabs and Servo; Section 23: Fresh Air Vents

Reference: Pages 11-04, 11-07, 11-08, 32-10, 32-13, 23-07; 3.5 hours

Today has a lot of activity in different areas. Including the installation of the Stabilator trim tabs, servo, flaperon torque tubes and fresh air vents.

Reference: Page 32-10.

First came the installation the flaperon torque tubes.





Builder's note: Van's has split the baggage floor cover so these can be inspected with out removing the fuel tank!!! The part number are F-00081 and F-00083.



Reference: Pages 11-04, 11-07, 11-08

Installed the AST tabs onto the Stabilator. I did find lubricating the hinge pins first made installation easier. Also I used a small block of wood to help push them into place. Then these were safety wired to the Stabilator as called out by Van's Aircraft.









Next came installing the trim tab servo and wiring per the instructions. As noted in the pictures my RV uses the older style electrical connectors verse the newer molex connector.





Reference: Page 32-13

In preparation for the adjustment of the Stabilator cable tension, the cables were attached to the stabilator horns and cotter pinned. Also I installed the seat floor as this must be in place to get a good tension reading.







Reference: Page 23-07

Installed the fresh air vent.



That's all for today. Next I will work on setting the Stabilator cable tension.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 11: Empennage Attachment (part 5)

Reference: pages 11-07, -08; 2.0 hours

Today will finish the Empennage Attachment on the RV-12 LSA aircraft, at least until the are remove for painting.

Step 7: Threaded the jam nut and clevis rod end on to the Pitch servo. Backing the rod end one turn from contacting the servo arm and then tighted the jam nut.

Builder's note: This was also a good time to install the servo doublers I had left off.





Step 8: Guide the Trim/Servo assembly into place from underneath the stabilator.

Step 9: Installed the trim servo using the hardware called out. NOTE: The cotter pin is not fully expanded until the final final installation of the trim system.



Step 10: Install the rod end bearing to the AST Assemblies.



Reference: Page 11-08

Step 1: Connect a 12 volt power supply to the two white leads of the servo and run it to one of it's two stops. Check that the stabilator still has full travel and nothing hit except the hinge stops.



Step 2: Reverse the connections of the 12 volt power supply to the two white leads of the servo and run it to other stop. Check that the stabilator still has full travel and nothing stopping against anything other than the hinge stops.



This completes this entry and the Attachment of the Empennage on the RV-12 airplane, at least until final assembly.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 11: Empennage Attachment (part 4)

Reference: pages 11-07; 2.0 hours

Today's entry is still deals with working on the electric trim system for the RV-12 airplane. There is a possible "Gotcha" I will address as the pieces are assembled.

Step 1: Attach the clevis plates parts and hardware called out by Van's Aircraft on page 11-07. Cleco the plates to the Pushrod while paying attention to the orientation of the plates and rod.



Builder's note: So here is a possible GOTCHA. When the clecos are inserted from both sides they can hit each other and will misalign the assembly as can be seen below. One possible fix is to trim the tall off the celco so they won't hit inside the tube. I didn't have a problem with this, but forewarned is forearmed.





Step 2: With the assembly correctly aligned, match drill #30 into the push rod. Then remove the clecos (but not the hardware) and deburr and remove any chips.



Step 3: Clamp the threaded insert into the end of the pushrod making sure the rivet holes are aligned. Note: Rivet is inserted just to align holes



Step 4: Match drill #40 the threaded insert and pushrod.



Step 5: Rivet the Clevis plates on while pressing towards the pushrod as each rivet is set. Rivet the threaded insert in.

Builder's note: I found using a hand riveter worked very well as the rivets across the tube from each other hit each other (just like the clecos did) until they are set. That's why you need to push down as the rivets are set.





Step 6: Installed the rod end and jam nut to give the required length as outlined by Van's Aircraft. I then final painted the exposed pushrod.



This complete today's work on the RV-12 airplane . After the paint sets I will continue with the installation fo the servo trim system for the RV-12 airplane.