Shaping the Control Surfaces: Scoring and Cutting the Elevator & Rudder

Scoring the elevator and rudder to create the control surfaces

With the fuselage and wings nearing completion, we turned our attention to shaping the control surfaces, which are essential for controlling the aircraft’s flight. The process began by carefully scoring the elevator and rudder to create precise, functional control surfaces. Scoring involves making shallow cuts along the foam to create clean, defined lines that will allow the surfaces to move freely once cut. After scoring, we carefully cut along the lines, ensuring that the control surfaces would be properly aligned and able to function smoothly. This step was critical in ensuring that the elevator and rudder would provide the necessary stability and maneuverability for the aircraft. By the end of this process, the elevator and rudder were fully cut out, bringing us one step closer to assembling the complete aircraft and preparing for the final adjustments before flight testing.

Key Achievements:

• Scored and cut the elevator and rudder to create functional control surfaces.
• Ensured smooth movement of control surfaces for optimal flight performance.
• Completed a critical step in refining the aircraft’s aerodynamic control systems.