Alex's Vans RV-10 Build Log

The aft elevator push rod is assembled in the empennage attach section of the plans, and as I was working on other push rod assemblies I also took care of this one at the same time. 3D printed drill guide being used to match drill holes through the push rod into the push rod ends After deburring and priming all push rod parts, I riveted the rod ends in place with MSP-42 rivets, attached bearings and adjusted them for the approximate length given in the plans. I then set the push rod aside for future installation into the tail cone. Push rod end riveted and bearing attached Everything looks good at both ends for installation in the tail cone Dates:                    December 13 2025, January 18 2026, February 19 2026

While working on the aileron push rod assemblies, I decided to also tackle the elevator push rods as a lot of the work involved in drilling the ends is identical across the different push rod assemblies. Once again, I made use of several different 3D printed drill guides to ensure that holes were accurately placed, but otherwise drilling these push rods and ends was straightforward. 3D printed drill guide for drilling the 1/16" safety wire hole in the forward elevator pushrod end  Forward elevator pushrod end drilled for rivets and safety wire Within the pushrod end, the safety wire hole runs just above the threaded portion Mid elevator pushrod ends are held in place by 8 rivets rather than the 6 used for other push rod assemblies I then started working on the Elevator Idler Arm assembly, first creating a spacer that sits between the left and right idler arms. Elevator idler arm spacer cut to size and initial hole drilled 1/4" in from one end. The remaining 2 holes are match ...

Prior to tail cone attachment I tackled a few miscellaneous tasks and decided to work on fabricating the push rods and torque tubes for aileron actuation.  I 3D printed several drill guides (thanks again to Allen Glen for his 3D model) for the different tube diameters and this made match drilling the rod ends extremely easy.  After cutting pushrod to length and deburring, drill guide fits snugly over rod end and lines up with the edge to correctly position the rivet holes Rivet holes drilled at both ends of torque tube to bellcrank pushrod Push rods and rod ends deburred and ready for priming Next, I cut the steel bellcrank to aileron pushrods to length using a hacksaw and also fabricated the aileron bellcrank spacers and torque tube collars. Slowly cutting through the steel tube to form two bellcrank to aileron pushrods Bellcrank to aileron push rods, aileron bellcrank spacers, aileron bellcrank bushings and torque tube collars all cut to exact lengths and deburred Using ano...

In preparation for tail cone attachment, I reorganized my garage workspace to allow for the extended length of the fuselage with tail cone, and retrieved the tail cone itself from storage. This section began with deburring (all holes) and dimpling several holes in the F-1006B bulkhead as well as few in the F-1006A and F-1006C bulkheads and F-1029 Bellcrank Ribs. The F-1006B bulkhead still needs to be primed so that will be done prior to final assembly.  I then clecoed the F-1006B bulkhead to the aft fuselage, and put together a makeshift cart that would be able to hold the tailcone at roughly the height required to attach it to the aft fuselage. With my daughter's help, we lifted the tail cone on to the cart and I slowly wheeled it into position. Tail cone on cart slowly inching towards the fuselage I was a little apprehensive at the start on how easily the fuselage and tail cone would slide together, but I really didn't have any issues getting the skins aligned. I think that l...