Model Tech Yak 54 Assembly Instructions Manual page 13

B
sTEP 2: iNsTalliNg ThE horizoNTal sTabilisEr
WARNING When cutting through the covering material to remove it in the next procedure, cut with only enough pressure to cut through
only the covering material itself. Cutting down into the balsa structure could weaken the stabiliser and cause it to fail during flight.
IMPORTANT Because the stabiliser has to slide into place through the fuselage, apply epoxy only to the stabiliser. This will prevent
the epoxy from spreading over the entire length of one half of the stabiliser when you slide it into place.
q Apply a generous amount of 30 minute epoxy to oNly the top and bottom gluing surfaces of the stabiliser, then push the stabiliser
into place and realign it, double-checking all of your measurements once more before the epoxy sets up. Quickly remove any excess
epoxy and use T-Pins to hold the stabiliser in place and aligned until the epoxy has fully cured.
q After the epoxy has fully cured, remove the T-Pins and masking tape and look closely at the glue joint. If there are any gaps between
the stabiliser and the fuselage, fill them using 30 minute epoxy for added strength.
q When you're satisfied that the stabiliser is square to the wing, use a T-Pin
to hold the front of the stabiliser firmly in place and aligned.
q Look from the front of the aircraft at both the wing and the stabiliser. When
aligned properly, the stabiliser should be parallel to the wing.
B-
+
If the stabiliser is not parallel to the wing, remove the stabiliser and sand
down the higher side of the stabiliser mounting slot until you're satisfied with
the alignment.
q When satisfied with the alignment, draw a line on each side of the stabiliser
where it meets the fuselage sides. Do this on both the top and the bottom.
q Remove the stabiliser from the fuselage, then carefully cut away the
covering material from inside the lines you drew.
PRO TIP Use a heat-sealing iron to adhere the covering material down
where you cut it. This will prevent it from loosening up and wrinkling.
q To make it less messy during installation, apply masking tape to the fuselage
around the side of the mounting slot that the stabiliser will slide into and to the
top and bottom of the corresponding side of the stabiliser, too.
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