Posted in Empennage, Horizontal Stab

Almost Finished Horizontal Stabilizer

   Published Date: February 26, 2026  Leave a Comment on Almost Finished Horizontal Stabilizer

Well, I ALMOST finished the horizontal stabilizer today. (Hint: I finished it except for the center hinge bracket, which needs a #12 drill bit and some AN3 bolts, but for the purposes of this post, it’s done.

I can’t remember why I took this picture of the AN470AD4-4 rivets. I had to use these on the tip rib to front spar and tip rib to rear spar rivets today.

A couple actions shots of the riveting.

I can’t remember taking this picture. Maybe just riveting the tip rib to the front spar on the right side?

Once the tip rib was riveted, I turned toward riveting the skins.

This is midway through riveting the top of the right HS skin.
I think this is me almost done with the bottom of the right HS skin.

I stopped mid-evening once I had the rear spar installed. All that’s left are the inboard and tip ribs.

This was mid-evening, when I’d finished the rear spar, but not yet completed the tip and inboard ribs.

Once I’d finished those ribs, I pulled the blue vinyl off and hung her up.

It’s beautiful.

4.0 hours. 365 rivets. 2 drilled out and replaced.

Unknown's avatar

Author: Andrew

I'm too lazy to fill this out. If you are actually reading this, send me a message, and I'll spend some effort on it.

Leave a Reply