Build The Rudder - Top Flite CESSNA 182 SKYLANE Instruction Book

11. Remove the fin from the building board
and trim off the jig tabs. Blend the LE and TE to
the ribs on the right side of the fin.
NOTE: If you plan to route wiring for a
beacon through the fin, install a 15" length
of outer pushrod tube (not supplied)
through the 3/16" holes you drilled in step
#2. Glue it in position with medium CA,
leaving the excess tube protruding from V-1.
12. Use medium or thick CA to glue on the
right side skin. Be sure to get a good bond
between the ribs and the skin.
13. True up the edges of the fin sheeting with
a sanding block. Shape the LE to match the
cross section on the plans. Don't trim the bottom
edge of the sheeting at this time.
14. Glue the shaped 3/4" balsa Fin Tip to the
top of the fin. Shaping should be done later, with
the fin taped to the rudder.
NOTE: If adding a beacon light, drill a hole
through the top of the Fin Tip that aligns with
the wiring tube before you glue it in place.

Build the rudder

30"
EXCESS
1. Use one 1/16" x 3" x 30 balsa sheet to
make two rudder skins, using the rudder skin
pattern on the wing plan. You will need to edge
glue a small wedge shaped piece of sheeting to
the TE of the skin to provide the correct width.
You should have more than enough material left
over from the previous assemblies to accomplish
this step.
2. Pin one of the rudder skins to the (wax
paper covered) plans and draw the location of
each rib using the "tic" marks as a guide. Draw a
line the length of the rudder skin, 3/8" in from the
aft edge, as you did with the elevators. Remove
the rudder skin from the board and taper the aft
edge to 1/32". Taper the aft edge of the other
rudder skin to 1/32". (See next photo.)
3. Locate the 3/8" x 3/4" x 12" tapered balsa
rudder LE. Cut the tips to match the sweep
15
angle of the rudder. Lightly sand both sides of
the rudder LE to match the angle toward the aft
edge of the rudder.
4. Re-pin the rudder skin over the plans. Glue
the rudder LE to the surface of the rudder skin,
3"
flush with the front edge, using medium CA. The
wide end of the rudder LE is at the bottom end
of the rudder.
5. Slightly taper the forward edge of the rudder
ribs R-1 through R-6 to match the sweep angle of
the rudder LE, then glue them in position over
the location lines that you drew in step #2.
6. Shape one end of the 1/4" x 1/2" x 1-1/4"
balsa rudder Torque Block to match the angle
at the intersection of the rudder LE and R-1.
Glue the Torque Block in position when satisfied
with the fit.
7. Remove the rudder assembly from the board,
then lightly sand the frame to blend all joints. Glue
the second rudder skin to the frame with thick CA.
To prevent twists, be sure that the assembly is held
on a flat surface while the CA cures.