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 32: Flight Controls (part 5)

Reference: pages 32-07, 32-08, 32-10; 2.0 hours

With the empennage installed on the RV-12 airplane kit, I decided to go back the the flight control section and get these finished up as well.

Reference: 32-07

Step 12: Press the Flap knob onto the Fork Assembly.



This completes page 32-07.

Reference: Page 32-08

Step 3: With the 0.025 spacers under the Dentent bracket and the Fork Assembly engaged in the lowest detent, The flap Knob should be flush with the Flap handle tube. I needed to trim some of the fork length to get a good fit.





Step 4: Removed and drilled a #30 rivet hole into the Knob and Fork Assembly per dimensions in RV-12 plans as directed by Van's Aircraft. Then installed a rivet.



Builder's Note: I also wanted a nice looking functional handle grip similar to the ones on the control sticks. Because of the diameter of the Flap handle a regualar bike grip wasn't going to work so I used a Regrip purchased through HomeDepot.









Even with carefully positioning it stretched a little during installation and needed trimming. This completed page 32-08.

Reference: Page 32-10

Step 10: Separate the rudder cable links.



This completes this entry for the RV-12 airplane and page 32-10.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 32: Flight Controls (part 4)

Reference: pages 32-10; 0.0 hours

So today will finish the Flaperon torque tube install of the RV-12 aircraft.

Step 5: Remove the wings, then remove the Flaperon Torque Arms and Flaperon torque tubes from the fuselage.

Step 6: On a workbench and with the 0.063 spacers in place, cleco together the Flaperon Torque Tubes and Flaperon Torque Arms using the previously match-drilled holes. Reapply the clamps.



Step 7: Match-drill #30 the holes in the other side of the Flaperon Torque Amrs into the Flaperon Torque Tubes.



Step 8: Final-Drill #12 all the way through both sets of holes (insert a bolt after final-drilling the first set) in the Flaperon Torque Arms and Flaperon Torque Tubes.



Step 9: Reinstall the Flaperon Torque Arms, the attach the Flapron Torque Tubes using the hardware called out in the plans.



Builder's note: I held off on installing the Torque tubes until after the tailcone is fitted and maybe even after final painting. That completes this entry. In the future I will finish this section. But there are lots of project to do before then!

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 32: Flight Controls (part 3)

Reference: pages 32-09, 32-10; 8.0 hours

After moving the forward fuselage of the RV-12 airplane to the warehouse it is time to finish the fitting of the flight controls to the ailerons. I did have one Gotcha listed below. The length given in the plans for the grommet was too short. I will say not having the tailcone installed made this step much easier.

I also complied with SA 03-17-11 by inspection the flaperon tubes for complete weld. Which my torque tubes did have.

Step 1: From the 12 inch length of MS21266-1N Nylon Grommet supplied, cut two lengths and install them around the edges of the holes in the Baggage Corner Skins.

Builder's note: The 3 3/16" lengths given in the plans were about 1/2 too short for my plan. So I ordered new grommet and fit it around the hole marked and then cut it.

Step 2: Slide the Flaperon Torque Tubes through the holes in the Baggage Corner Skins and between the bracket of the Flaperon Torque Arms.



Step 3: Place the WD-1213 Flaperon Handle in the lowest detent in the Flaperon Detent Bracket, then use the bolt shown in figure 2 on page 32-09 of the RV-12 plans to temporarily lock the flaperon control system in the neutral position. Pass the bolt through the holes in both Flaperon Mixer Arms and through the holes in the Flaperon Mixer bellcranks.

Step 4: Install the wings. During installation, slide the Pivot Guides into the Flaperon Torque Tubes and the Actuation Brackets between the Spacers.



This completes page 32-09.

Reference page 32-10

Step 1: On both wings use a clamp to align the flaperon and wing trailing edges.



Step 2: Flush the ends of the Flaperon Torque Tubes with the brackets on the Flaperon Torque Arms as shown in Figure 2 of Van's AIrcraft plans page 32-10. If the Actuation Brackets on the Flaperons force the flaperon torque tubes to extend beyond the brackets, trim the actuation brackets until the flaperon torque tubes are flush.

Step 3: Insert a temporary 0.063 spacer between the Flaperon Torque tubes and the Flaperon Torque Arms as shown in figure 2 on page 32-10, then clamp the parts together.

Step 4: Match-drill #30 to two holes of the Flaperon Torque Arms into the Flaperon Torque Tubes (one side only, and cleco the first hole before match drilling the second.)



That's it for this entry. Next time I will finish drilling the torque arms.