Rudder Skin Riveting Part 2 (Final) + Installing Tail Beacon

We riveted the whole rudder skin, only top one was left from the previous blog. Additionally, red tail beacon was also wired and installed on top of the fiberglass tip.

Tail Beacon Installation

Installing the tail beacon consisted of two parts, the bulb socket itself and the wiring that went with it. We used some epoxy.

Bulb Socket

Installing the bulb socket required some drilling using step drill bits, along with using some epoxy to join the rivnuts to the fiberglass tip. Holes to accommodate the tail beacon bulb socket. Red Tail beacon with the bulb and socket. Rivnuts epoxied to the fiberglass tip. Rivnuts epoxied to the fiberglass tip. New holes to rivet the socket. Bulb socket riveted to the tail fin. Bulb socket riveted to the tail fin. Bulb socket with the bulb and cover attached.

Wiring

Installing the wiring required installing some snap bushings to protect the wires along with braided sleeving. Additionally, solder sleeves with heat shrink were used to join the wires. Snap bushings installed for the wire holes. New rivets installed on either side for re-enforcement. Wires attached with solder sleeves. Wires with braided sleeving and extra length as a service loop.

Top Skin Riveting

Riveting the top skin was pretty straightforward, some holes needed to be cleaned up using a 3.2mm drill bit. An extra rivet was added on both sides of the trailing edge for additional re-enforcement. Top skin riveted (trailing edge). Top skin riveted. Top skin riveted.

Avionics & Tools

Below are some avionics components, wiring components, and additional tools which were used for this process.

Name	Description	Link
Red Tail Beacon	PSA Enterprise red tail beacon	https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/model927anti.php
Wire Cutters	Micro wire snips for cutting	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPDG1K
Power Supply	12v DC power supply for testing	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NVX48NT
Multimeter	For electrical connection testing	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MTTX66X
Braided Sleeving	For protecting electrical wires against chaffing	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GM1PK1
Heat Gun	For using heat shrink butt connectors	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VFY8THD
Wire Connectors	Heat shrink butt connectors 18-22awg waterproof	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVS3H3ST
18awg Red Wire	Mil spec red wire 18awg for power	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRXZA29
18awg Black Wire	Mil spec black wire 18awg for power (ground)	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MU185RP
Snap Bushing	For protecting electrical wires in a hole against chaffing	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BPV94E
High Heat Epoxy	For gluing rivnuts to the fiberglass tip	https://www.jbweld.com/product/high-heat-syringe
Step Drill Bits	For drilling a big size hole more gracefully	https://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drills-91616.html