Eagler's Nest

Airframes => Single Seaters => XL => Topic started by: Shay King on January 16, 2026, 10:27:55 AM

Title: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Shay King on January 16, 2026, 10:27:55 AM
On page 1 of the plans the innermost rib on the stabiliser has the note ‘Flat side’.
Does that mean that rib is on its side, whereas the other two are sharp sides down?
Also, the tubing between the gussets for the 3/16” bolts, what are builders using there. Is it 3/16” inner diameter bushing material or aluminium tubing with a loose fit?
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Kamcoman77 on January 16, 2026, 01:22:45 PM
Inner rib, opening goes toward outer tip, other ribs, opening goes toward inside end. I used aluminum tubing with 3/16" ID for my brace wire gusset supports. I used JB-Weld to epoxy them in place. So did my pal who is building his own XL in my shop.
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Shay King on January 17, 2026, 02:09:22 AM
Thanks Keith,
That all makes sense now.
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Shay King on January 17, 2026, 10:14:20 AM
Just for info. Homemade bender for the 5/8” tubing. Made from scrap plywood and steel.
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Shay King on January 21, 2026, 10:10:52 AM
 Guys, I’ve started on the elevators and have a question. I don’t see a dimension to locate the front central gusset/rib joint on the elevator. Does it line up with the rear central gusset in the stabiliser? Please see picture below.
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Kamcoman77 on January 21, 2026, 11:42:47 AM
Most of them I've seen turned out like this. I made my rib junction at 20" from tip.
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Shay King on January 22, 2026, 02:23:04 AM
Thanks for that Keith,
Great picture.
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Shay King on March 28, 2026, 12:22:53 PM
Can anyone tell me what height the horizontal stabilizer should sit above the top longeron? My fuselage is made from a VR3 tube kit and the horizontal stab mounting brackets are made differently to the plans. At the moment the horizontal stab is a bit too high and I need to trim the welded inserts.
Also, when I do that I’m thinking of setting the stab about 2 degrees nose down. This is the setting I’ve gathered from the forum seems to work.
Any advice on that setting very welcome. (Verner engine and 165lb pilot).
Many thanks.
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Kamcoman77 on March 28, 2026, 12:53:11 PM
Here is how ORV did it. This way washers could be added in the front or back to change the stab angle. Set angle so there is no front to back stick pressure at the cruise speed you like best (trial & error).
Title: Re: Horizontal stabiliser question.
Post by: Shay King on March 28, 2026, 02:16:23 PM
Thanks for that Keith.
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