Method and System for Coupling a Vertical Stabilizer to an Aircraft Fuselage

A method for attaching a vertical stabilizer having a multi-spar box to an aircraft fuselage with a composite skin, the method comprising:

• positioning the composite skin over the aircraft fuselage, the composite skin having apertures for receiving a plurality of clevises in a clevis system;
• joining the composite skin to a plurality of frame members in the aircraft fuselage;
• inserting each of the plurality of clevises through the apertures in the composite skin;
• securing each of the plurality of clevises to a frame member in the aircraft fuselage;
• installing an intercostal between two frame members in the plurality of frame members;
• engaging a base rib assembly of the vertical stabilizer with the clevis system;
• and
• securing a plurality of lugs in the base rib assembly to the plurality of clevises in the clevis system. cm 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
• boring mounting holes in the plurality of clevises;
• and
• reaming the mounting holes in the plurality of clevises prior to engaging the base rib assembly with the clevis system.

An aircraft comprising:

• an aircraft fuselage having a plurality of frame members and a composite skin;
• a vertical stabilizer having a multi-spar box;
• a base rib assembly secured to the multi-spar box, wherein the base rib assembly has a plurality of lugs;
• a clevis system inserted through apertures in the composite skin and attached to the plurality of frame members, wherein the clevis system is configured to receive the plurality of lugs;
• and
• retaining members inserted through corresponding mounting holes in the plurality of lugs and a plurality of clevises, wherein the retaining members attach the vertical stabilizer to the aircraft fuselage.