Get Ready To Build; Build The Tail Surfaces; Build The Horizontal Stabilizer - Top Flite CESSNA 182 SKYLANE Instruction Book

Get ready to build

1. Unroll the plan sheets. Re-roll the plans
inside-out to make them lie flat.
2. Remove all parts from the box. As you do,
figure out the name of each part by comparing it
with the plans and the parts list included with this
kit. Using a felt tip or ball point pen, lightly write
the part name or size on each piece to avoid
confusion later. Use the die-cut patterns shown
on pages 7 and 8 to identify the die-cut parts and
mark them before removing them from the
sheet. Save all scraps. If any of the die-cut parts
are difficult to punch out, do not force them!
Instead, cut around the parts with a hobby knife.
After punching out the die-cut parts, use your T-
Bar or sanding block to lightly sand the edges to
remove any die-cutting irregularities.
3. As you identify and mark the parts, separate
them into groups, such as fuse (fuselage), wing,
fin, stab (stabilizer), and hardware.
Zipper-top food storage bags are a handy
way to store your small parts as you sort,
identify, and separate them into sub-assemblies.

BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES

Build the horizontal stabilizer

1. Work on a flat surface over the plans covered
with waxed paper. Refer to the plans to identify
the parts and their locations. The plans may be
cut apart if space is a problem.
2. Punch out both sets of the die-cut 3/32" balsa
ribs S-1 through S-7. There is a jig tab on the
bottom edge of each of these ribs. If any of these
break off, carefully glue them back on with a drop
of thin CA. Lightly sand any imperfections. You
may need to finish cutting the notch in the forward
portion of S-1 for the Stab Joiner (SJ) with a
knife. Use a pen to mark the extensions of the
bottom edge of the ribs across the fore and aft
ends of the jig tabs. These marks will help when
you trim off the jig tabs later.
3. The stab Trailing Edges (S) are die-cut from
1/4" balsa. Since some crushing may occur
during die-cutting wood of this thickness, they
are supplied slightly long and can be trimmed.
True up all edges of these pieces with a T-bar.
9
FIN / STAB LE
4. Cut the stab Leading Edges (LE's) to
length from the 1/4" x 15" tapered balsa stock.
They should be about 1/4" longer than the length
shown on the plans for the stab LE.
5. Center the 1/2" x 5/8" x 9-3/4" balsa TE
Center Brace over the plans and pin it in place.
Use a triangle and pen to mark the inboard ends
of the Stab TE. Remove the TE Center Brace
from the building board.
6. Apply thick CA to one half of the TE
Center Brace, then align the inboard end of a
Stab TE with the reference line you just drew.
Glue the TE Center Brace in position. The TE
Center Brace must be centered on the Stab
TE. Repeat this operation for the other half of
the TE, then use long T-pins to pin the assembly
over the plans.
NOTE: Position the outboard ends of the
TE about 1/2" above the board. The TE
Center Brace should be raised about 3/8".
(See next photo.)