XL tail sections weights???

[pappyadkins]

Calling all builders… does anyone know the weights of each piece of the tail sections. With and or without fabric. Please and thank you.

I saw Steve Kiblinger’s numbers for his UL total tail…

Empennage..
6 lbs  [Prior to cover]
7 lbs  [ 2 very light coats of Stits Epoxy primer]
8.5 lbs [covered, one cross coat of Stits PolyBrush and taped]
11 lbs [ 2 light coats of primer, cross coat of PolyBrush and taped, 1.5 cross coats of PolySpray and 3 cross coats of PolyTone on fin and stabilizer]...

[Chuck in Indiana]

It just shows how heavy paint really is. You can't afford much..

[Kamcoman77]

OK, here is the bad news...... Empennage covered with 1.9 oz. dacron. Fabric rivets instead of rib stitching. 1" tape over rivets/ribs. No perimeter tapes. No coatings of any kind, yet. Rudder weighs 1# 15.8 oz. V.Stab 2# 4 oz. H.Stabs 1# 8.2 oz. & 1# 8 oz. Elevators 1# 3.1 oz & 1# 3.2 oz. Total weight 9# 10.3 oz. before paint. My plan is to put one cross coat of Glidden Gripper primer on and one or two cross coats of yellow Sherwin Williams All-Surface Acrylic Enamel. I'll weigh it after the first cross coat of yellow and see what I have added.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Lovely work, Keith. (still looking for that thumbs up emoji) 

[Kamcoman77]

Thank you, Chuck.

[Kamcoman77]

David, have you weighed your empennage, yet? I want to see your weights as soon as you get things completed. One reason mine is heavy is wider flanges on the ribs and probably one extra rivet at each gusset, compared to Leonard. Also using the large flange rivets to secure fabric on ribs (overkill) then adding 1" pinked tape over ribs.

[pappyadkins]

I haven’t weighed mine yet… I’m getting close… I had to put my empennage on the back burner, but have finally ordered & received my hinge material… hopefully will get them done soon… I will post my numbers for sure… however, I’ll forewarn you though… I also have 1/2” wide edges on my ribs; however, I’m running about 18 inches less ribs than plans… So a minor spoiler alert… I have made a “few” changes  to my tail feathers - hopefully soon I’ll post pictures & numbers…  This is one of my primary reasons for the question to the group, I was hoping to find out how well I’ve done…

[pappyadkins]

OK I have some numbers of my empennage... But first I have to let you you know my expectations... I wanted 'clipped' profile (not sure how my folding wings will fit in trailer & wasn't sure about folding the tail, we'll see but wanted them to be narrow enough for most trailers) but wanted same basic surface areas... Also I wanted to 'beef up' the ribs instead of the 1/4" sides... So I made the sides 1/2" folding over the last 1/8" or so of the edge at about a 45 degree, which should also help with strength & help soften the edges to aide in covering... Also wanted to add extra brace for the inner rib (closest to fuse) on both the Vert. & Horizontal fins to help eliminate the bowing rib that so many experienced... Not too much to ask for, right?

So let me shutup & share my numbers... All surfaces are ready to cover....
Rudder 19.2oz (will still add the two 3.5" aluminum braces at horn after covered)
Vertical Tail 18.2oz
Each Horizontal tail 16.4oz
Each Elevator 11.9oz

Total weight 94oz or 5lbs 14oz (it looks like my XL may have come in a little less than the UL version - not sure if they shared the same dimensions or not)

I'll share the numbers as I cover too...

[Kamcoman77]

Sounds great, David. Looks like your empennage will weigh a lot less than mine even after you cover it.

[pappyadkins]

I’m seriously thinking of rib stitching.  I wasn’t worried but I’m using Stewart system and I’m not for certain it’s as strong tensile strength wise.  I figured if I can find as many ways to cut weight, maybe id still be lightweight and also have peace of mind. 

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Leonard did not recommend rib stitches so I built my XL using the Stuwart System and have been flying it for seven years with no issues.  I saw Les Holman's XL (ORV) at Air Venture 2014 and he had no rib stitching. At that time he had been flying for about five years and I don't think it has been recovered yet.

[pappyadkins]

Thank you for commenting, you’re the first I’ve heard that used Stewart’s and had a flying track record.  I actually talked with Les, he told me he used poly tac (like Leonard suggested). That was one reason I started getting concerned. Then of course when you talk to Stewart system guys they told me they recommend stitching (I know there use to covering aircraft with higher airspeeds too).

I’ve seen several of our fellow builders that haven’t rib stitched and used SS but haven’t flown much yet.  So again thanks for letting me know of your success.

[mike ketteman]

360 hrs on my LE with SS and no rib stitch,still doing great and latex paint. (7 yrs)

[pappyadkins]

360 hrs on my LE with SS and no rib stitch,still doing great and latex paint. (7 yrs)

I’m feeling better.

[pappyadkins]

OK as promised, I have some updated numbers of my empennage... But first I have to let you you know my expectations... I wanted 'clipped' profile (not sure how my folding wings will fit in trailer & wasn't sure about folding the tail, we'll see, but wanted them to be narrow enough for most trailers or toy haulers if not folded) but wanted the same basic surface areas... Also I wanted to 'beef up' the ribs instead of the 1/4" sides... So I made the sides 1/2" folding over the last 1/8" or so of the edge at about a 45 degree, which should also help with strength & help soften the edges to aide in covering... Also wanted to add extra brace for the inner rib (closest to fuse) on both the Vert. & Horizontal fins to help eliminate the bowing rib that so many experienced... Not too much to ask for, right?

So let me shutup & share my numbers... All surfaces first have the "ready to cover" weight [then the "covered w/StewartSystems. & waterproofed w/S.S.", ready for paint weight]....

Rudder 19.2oz [24.2oz] (will still add the two 3.5" aluminum braces at horn after painting)
Vertical Tail 18.2oz [24.2oz]
Each Horizontal tail 16.4oz [20.5oz]
Each Elevator 11.9oz [15.7oz]

Total weight 94oz or 5lbs 14oz [120.8oz or 7lbs 8.8oz]

I'll update once we get painted...