The vertical stabilizer is a vertical airfoil that gives directional stability to the aircraft. The vertical stabilizer holds the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder. The vertical stabilizer is installed on the empennage/tail which connects with the aft fuselage at FS861.00.

The primary structure of the vertical stabilizer has three machined spars, nine ribs, a canted tip rib and extruded stringers. There are five access panels on the left side of the vertical stabilizer and four on the right side. The access panels give access for adjustment of flight controls, replacement of components, and inspection of components.

The top of the primary structure is closed by a machined canted tip rib. Pivot fittings attached to the rear spar and canted tip rib have attachment points for the horizontal stabilizer. Support fittings above the mid spar have attachment points for the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator.

A support between Rib 5 (RS95.787) and Rib 6 (RS115.787) on the left side has points to attach the three power control units (PCUs) for the rudder. Four hinges, installed on the rear spar, have attachment points for the rudder. Rudder seals attached to the trailing edges of the vertical-stabilizer skin panels touch against the rudder surface to make a seal.

The skin panels, formed members and most ribs are made from clad aluminum alloy. The front and rear spars, the top canted rib and attachment fittings are machined from aluminum alloy plate.

The primary structure of the vertical stabilizer is connected to the empennage/tail. The empennage/tail has four canted frames and stringers contained by chemically milled skin panels. The skin panels, frames and stringers are made from clad aluminum alloy.

The vertical stabilizer rear and mid spars are attached to two of the canted frames. The primary interspar stringers are attached to the other two canted frames. The front spar is attached to the empennage/tail structures by two machined interface fittings.

The empennage/tail is structurally attached to the aft fuselage at FS861.00. The lower parts of the canted frames are attached to the empennage/tail structure.

Fittings are used to support the components that follow:

• Horizontal Stabilizer
• Rudder
• Horizontal Stabilizer Trim Actuator

Pivot fittings are attached to the rear spar and canted tip rib. These fittings are the attachment points for the horizontal stabilizer.

Four hinge fittings are attached to the rear spar. These fittings are the attachment points for the rudder. Support fittings are attached above the mid spar. These fittings are the attachment points for the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator.

The leading edge structure has 12 ribs, a top rib, a bottom rib, 4 attachment angles, and 2 channels. The skins have a nose skin made from clad aluminum alloy and left and right side panels made from graphite laminations.

The leading edge is attached to the primary structure with countersunk-head bolts, externally and eight bolts, internally. The countersunk-head bolts are installed along the trailing edges of the graphite lamination skins and the top and bottom rib straps. The internal bolts are installed through the top and bottom attachment angles.

The dorsal fairing makes an aerodynamic change between the top of the fuselage and the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. The dorsal fairing is made from graphite laminations. The dorsal fairing has a duct that supplies ram air to the air conditioning system.

Seals are attached to the trailing edges of the vertical stabilizer. The seals have Teflon pads attached with rivets to strips of corrosion resistant steel. The strips are attached to the trailing edges with bolts. The Teflon pads touch the rudder surface to make a seal.

There are five access panels on the left side of the vertical stabilizer and four on the right side. The access panels give access for adjustment of flight controls, replacement of components, and inspection of components. The access panels are made from clad aluminum.