Build The Wing; Build The Center Section - Top Flite CESSNA 182 SKYLANE Instruction Book

8. True up all rudder edges with a sanding block.
9. Position the rudder against the TE of the fin
with the top of the rudder 1/32" above the top
of the main body of the fin. Tape the fin and
rudder securely together with masking tape.
NOTE: Before proceeding, study the photo
at step 15 to see what you will accomplish
in the next six steps.
10. Test fit the 3/4" shaped balsa Rudder Tip
on top of the rudder. It should butt against the
Fin Tip squarely, and have a clearance gap of
1/32" above the fin. Make adjustments with a
sanding block if needed.
11. Use thick CA to glue the Rudder Tip to the
rudder. Be sure that everything is centered
before the CA cures.
12. Draw a center reference line across the
top of the rudder and fin blocks. A piece of
masking tape stretched across the center of the
blocks will help you draw a fairly straight line.
13. Use a razor plane and sanding block to
shape the top of the fin and rudder. For scale
realism, the Rudder Tip should be slightly
wider than the rudder. Apply 4 layers of masking
tape to each side of the rudder to prevent you
from removing too much material. The Fin Tip
may be sanded flush with the fin. Round off the
top 3/8" of both the Fin and Rudder Tips. When
the top is shaped and sanded, remove all
masking tape.
14. Draw a centerline on the rudder's LE.
Sand a "V" bevel along this line with reference to
the plans for the correct angle. Hinging and
installation of the torque rod will come later in
the assembly process.
15. Sand a radius around the forward edge of
the Rudder Tip. Hold the fin and rudder together
to check the clearance between the Rudder Tip
and the Fin Tip. Continue sanding the Rudder
Tip radius until there is a 1/32" gap between the
two parts.
16
Okay, the tail feathers are more or less
complete, so by now you are on a roll. The stab
looks like the wing for a .20-size model, doesn't
it? We'll build the wing next so you'll really have
something to impress your buddies when they
drop in to see "how the ol' Cessna is doing."

BUILD THE WING

NOTE: The wing panels are built "UPSIDE-
DOWN" on the plans. The jig tabs are
attached to what is, in the end, the TOP
surface of the wing. Since it is the standard
convention to show the Top View of the wing,
and the wing panels are built upside-down,
the LEFT wing panel is built over the RIGHT
Wing Top View and vice-versa. This does not
present any problems — just be sure to build
a left and a right wing.

Build the center section

1. Punch out all the die-cut 3/32" and 1/8"
balsa wing Ribs. Smooth out any imperfections
with sandpaper. Be sure to keep the jig tabs
attached to the ribs.
2. Punch out the 1/8" ply Doublers and Wing
Bolt Plates.