An exciting day today as I’m finally able to start riveting the ailerons together! I started with the spar, and getting the end doubler plate and nutplate riveted.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220322_095926-940x940.jpg)
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220322_095938-940x940.jpg)
Next I started to assemble the leading edge assembly, and this is done by first getting the leading edge end ribs fastened to the balance weight pipe. It’s a bit tricky to get the tabs of the leading edge end ribs riveted to the pipe, because it’s very tight here.
In the picture below, you can see that I bent the upper tab to be able to move the rib out of the way so that I have sufficient clearance to get the rivet puller tool in that tight spot.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220322_103644-940x940.jpg)
With the rib pushed back to provide clearance to the tab, it was quite easy to get the rivet puller tool in to set the rivet.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220322_103944-940x940.jpg)
Then I was able to get a shorty cleco in the hole on the aft side. With the rib attached to the balance weight pipe, I could then get the rib bent back in place so it was perpendicular to the pipe.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220322_105055-940x940.jpg)
The magic tool to use here is the Close Quarters, “POP” Riveter. This was the only rivet puller that I had success fitting in this tight spot to set these two nose rib rivets. The hand riveter is available at Aircraft Tool Supply and cost about $247.00. It’s definitely not cheap (especially for me converting the USD to CDN and then to pay shipping and duty/taxes on top!) … which I why I borrowed this from another local builder.
In the picture below, you can see how well it works in this situation.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220324_104001-940x940.jpg)
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220324_104016-940x940.jpg)
As shown below, this tool worked extremely well to set these rivets. Really happy with it.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220324_104506-940x940.jpg)
Now the structure of the aileron (ahead of the spar) is now complete!
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220328_124536-940x940.jpg)
Then I riveted the end ribs on the aft side of the spar.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220328_131536-940x940.jpg)
Now that the substructure is assembled, I started to build up the aileron assembly to get it ready for riveting.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220329_130117-940x940.jpg)
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220329_130757-940x940.jpg)
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220329_130804-940x940.jpg)
You start riveting the aileron skins by the line of rivets along the top surface spar. To do this you need to make a fixture where you can hold the rudder with the leading edge down. This orientation works well for being able to get access for riveting.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220330_083647-940x940.jpg)
It was hard to get a picture of myself while riveting, but the positioning I found to work best to get the bucking bar in, was while sitting on my little workshop chair, slouched down (as kind of shown in this picture).
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220330_154428-940x1253.jpg)
Slowly but steadily!
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220330_164046-940x940.jpg)
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220330_164057-940x940.jpg)
With the top of the spar riveted on the ailerons, that is about as far as I can go with these for now, because I need to keep them open for the pre-cover inspection. After that, I’ll finish up the riveting and close them up for good. But for now, I’ll just place them off to the side.
![](https://f1rocket-hangar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20220401_100618-940x940.jpg)
Please comment. I love to hear from my readers. Thanks again for coming along for this ride, you make my work worthwhile.
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