Bob Kuykendall wrote:

(some snippage for ptactice)


The somewhat longer answer is that, aside aside, Chris Heintz is a
smart guy and a capable designer and engineer, and that the Zenith
aircraft are specifically designed around the strength values
available from the specified rivets. They are also generally designed
around the lower strength values of 6061-T6 aluminum sheet instead of
the more expensive 2024-T3 aluminum more common in production
airplanes. There are some compromises required, but in general the
result is better economy in a perfectly servicable airplane.

I'm an amateur, don't try this at work.

Thanks, and best regards to all

Bob K.
http://www.hpaircraft.com/hp-24


Chris also uses flat head flush rivets - but with specially
modified tool heads that deform the flat rivet head into a
round finished head.

This "work hardens" the rivet head.

And them things are a bear to drill out...

Richard