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HORIZONTAL STABILIZER

I wonder....is there some significance to the fact that we start most airplane projects with the TAIL?

The KIS Cruiser Kit, like many other homebuilt aircraft kits, can be started with the horizontal stabilizer and elevator kit. Often this portion of the kit can be purchased separately and used as a test kit to determine if you are really interested in, and have what it takes to build an airplane. It also provides an opportunity to see if you are going to feel comfortable with the construction techniques.

The KIS Kit can be purchased in that manner if you choose to start that way.

I had decided to purchase my kit in two parts, a fuselage kit and a wing kit. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator were part of the fuselage kit but I had them shipped early since it was going to take a couple of additional months to prepare the fuselage kit. I just couldn't wait three months to get started once I had finally decided to do it.

Separation & Preparation

Construction

Finished Unit

The Tail Kit contains two premolded fiberglass pieces which form the top and bottom of the horizontal stabilizer and the elevators. A long "U" shaped molded fiberglass piece forms the rear spar of the stabilizer. A flat prepreg fiberglass panel is also included. The outline for the ribs and elevator spar are drawn on this panel. Included also are a supply of fiberglass cloth, epoxy resin, hardware, and Hycell Glue required for completion of the assembly.

The first steps involve preparation of a work surface to hold the stabilizer during the subsequent operations. Patterns are provided for braces to support the stabilizer on the work table. A cross brace supports the spar edge during assembly. (NOTE! Use a totally straight edged hardwood board for this piece to avoid any warpage. This is not specified in the manual but is very important. I did not and there was a slight warpage in mine which transferred to the completed part.)

Next step involves locating scribe lines on the molded parts for separating the elevator panels from the horizontal stabilizer. The scribe lines are etched lines in the molded parts and are just barely visible. A sharp pencil run along the lines helps to make them show up. The elevator is separated by carefully cutting along the scribe lines. This cut is very important and must be done with a smooth straight cut for proper final fit. The manual indicated that some possible problems in the area of the elevator counter weights. I second that and add my own caution. I carefully cut according to the lines and found that the side edges on the stabilizer did not align by almost 1/2 inch. I recommend double checking the position of the lines on both the top and bottom.

	The Tail Kit contains two premolded fiberglass pieces which form the top and bottom of the horizontal stabilizer and the elevators. A long "U" shaped molded fiberglass piece forms the rear spar of the stabilizer. A flat prepreg fiberglass panel is also included. The outline for the ribs and elevator spar are drawn on this panel. Included also are a supply of fiberglass cloth, epoxy resin, hardware, and Hycell Glue required for completion of the assembly.
	The first steps involve preparation of a work surface to hold the stabilizer during the subsequent operations. Patterns are provided for braces to support the stabilizer on the work table. A cross brace supports the spar edge during assembly. (NOTE! Use a totally straight edged hardwood board for this piece to avoid any warpage. This is not specified in the manual but is very important. I did not and there was a slight warpage in mine which transferred to the completed part.)
	Next step involves locating scribe lines on the molded parts for separating the elevator panels from the horizontal stabilizer. The scribe lines are etched lines in the molded parts and are just barely visible. A sharp pencil run along the lines helps to make them show up. The elevator is separated by carefully cutting along the scribe lines. This cut is very important and must be done with a smooth straight cut for proper final fit. The manual indicated that some possible problems in the area of the elevator counter weights. I second that and add my own caution. I carefully cut according to the lines and found that the side edges on the stabilizer did not align by almost 1/2 inch. I recommend double checking the position of the lines on both the top and bottom.