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08-22-2012, 03:24 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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More fuel for the fire...
err, thought provoking info.
Years ago, the prototype RV-8 was flown to the Rocky Mountain fly-in by Tom Green. After leaving the airport in the late afternoon of arrival, he later realized he needed something he had forgotten, and went back to the airport to get it out of the plane. Walking out to the ramp he noticed a bunch of people standing around the plane (not unusual since it was very new and not a lot of people had seen it). As he got closer, he realized people were sitting in the plane. A bit rude, but people think a company plane is there for their benefit. The problem is, the airplanes canopy had been locked when he left (the canopy lock used the lock assembly that comes with the ignition switch). Someone tried a random key on their key chain and it opened.
One other data point.... years ago, when I worked for an aircraft parts / maintenance business, we had a ring of about a dozen airplane style keys. 95% of the time, if I went out to do some work on an airplane that was locked, I could open it with one of those 12 keys.
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08-22-2012, 03:41 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanBaier
I have parked at fly-ins and come back to find people leaning on the extended flaps, up on the wing, actually turning the prop and a bunch of other mindless stuff. Typically, they're not aviators and don't like to have you tell them not to do that no matter how reasonable or polite you try to be.
The "radar alarm" mentioned above seemed interesting.
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Now if you could just couple the radar alarm with a target tracking system and one of those rock-vaporizing lasers like the Mars "Curiosity" Rover has, boy, you'd have some security!
Of course, you'd need the nuclear reactor that powers the dang thing as well.... 
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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08-22-2012, 03:44 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,218
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My canopy has a lock, but I never use it. As others have said, it is easier to replace the radios than the canopy.
Starting the engine on my airplane doesn't require a key. I've never worried too much about it for several reasons. First, there aren't that many pilots who'd steal an airplane. Second, my airplane is a taildragger, which further reduces the chances of aircraft theft, since 75% of today's pilots couldn't fly it anyway. Third, any person who is into stealing aircraft can figure out how to hotwire one anyway.
__________________
Kyle Boatright
Marietta, GA
2001 RV-6 N46KB
2019(?) RV-10
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08-22-2012, 04:26 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
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No real problem
Seems we are attempting to come up with elaborate solutions to a problem that doesn't really exist. Sure there have been occasional radio thefts but I haven't heard of any RV's being stolen and haven't heard of any thefts from them. At least at the dozens of airports I've been.
I think a throttle lock is a good idea, if it makes you feel better  (I don't use one). I have a key switch and remove the keys.
Locking gas caps are probably a good idea but same deal, I haven't heard of gas thefts. Maybe it has happened but I think someone would go for a larger airplane for this.
A canopy cover is a good idea for both a theft deterrent and the elements. As for canopy locks, latch locks etc. Kind of a waste of time.
As has been noted, if someone wants something, they will get it. I'd prefer to keep it unlocked and let them steal stuff, than have to build a canopy.
Just watch where you park. Stay away from airports South of the tracks in seedy neighborhoods 
__________________
Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
www.JDair.com
RV-7 N717EE-Flying (Sold)
RV-7 N717AZ Flying, in paint
EMS Bell 407,
Eurocopter 350 A-Star Driver
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08-22-2012, 06:02 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: na
Posts: 1,457
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanBaier
Could this alarm be set up to be active only when switched on? Or would it be a constant drain anyway?
Thanks,
Dan
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Dan, yes depending on the features on the alarm. If you are not interested in a remote wireless arming key fob thingy then you can purchase a system which only draws power when you activate by switch mounted someplace in or on the airplane. I used one with a wireless key fob which keeps the receiver powered all the time. Some of the really sophisticated alarms these days can send you a text msg or call the police when activated. The alarm I installed cost about $150 weighed about 1 lbs - do not remember the brand but it was not the least expensive model and certainly not the most expensive. Most have far more features than you'll ever need but even this one came with several door switches, a relay to disconnect the starter solenoid, a relay to flash lights, relays to activate door locks, and a motion detector. I tried the motion detector for awhile but this was a really bad idea - duh  The radar detector versions are typically set-up for convertibles since the volume inside the car cockpit is easily accessible without opening a door.
While it may very well be true not many RVs have had theft of equipment I can tell you from my experience with the BD4 it will not make you a happy camper - especially as you are loading the family up for a 4 day camping weekend and do not notice the empty instrument panel until the plane is loaded, and the kids are all strapped in  The dirty, rotten stinking thieves took EVERYTHING out of the panel and left all the harnesses neatly draped through the holes. It must have taken hours to remove the pitot/static instruments. They were obviously very comfortable working in my nicely enclosed hangar late on a Thursday night. It took me nearly a month to settle with insurance and purchase suitable replacements. I'm certain a $150 horn blowing at 130 dB 2.5ft behind their ears would have prevented them from accomplishing their mission - if nothing else from the shear annoyance of it.
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08-22-2012, 06:50 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Near Scipio, in Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,779
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I have a canopy lock on my 9A, using the same key in the ignition. I am more inclined to think the casual intruder is more likely to be a problem than the pro. I hope to keep both out, but if not, I have insurance. I like the key for another reason; I know the mag switches are off when I have the key. Yes, I know about broken wires causing hot mags, but I worry more about the RV-12 with switches. Another item on the check list, prior to the "burping" routine.
Funny event from years ago, before anyone worried all that much. One person at our airport chained his prop. He wasn't a very friendly guy, and certainly not popular. Someone (we won't go into the "who" here) decided, "why be half safe?" and added a second padlock to the chain. It was pretty funny to see him try to cut the lock. Sorry for the old war story...
Bob
__________________
Bob Kelly, Scipio, Indiana
Tech Counselor
Founder, Eagle's Nest Projects
President, AviationNation, Inc
RV-9A N908BL, Flying
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08-22-2012, 10:08 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 212
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Cover recommendation?
This is a very timely thread. I've been thinking about installing a canopy lock on my 7 slider but the cover only argument makes a lot of sense to me. Can anyone recommend a good cover or should I have one made locally?
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08-22-2012, 10:09 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Stuart, FL /Hartford, CT/Virgin Gorda,BVI
Posts: 3,122
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i guess ill keep mine locked, canopy cover on, panel covered, fingers crossed. by the response of all here unlocked, they will probably just go to your plane and get the easy takings. they would be disappointed when they got to see what was in my panel anyways. old school and well used. insured too. hope it never happens to anyone. can you imagine, where did my plane go?
the other day a not so much of a friend wanted to get back on a practical joke on a good buddy, rver, and use my hangar to hide his plane on him. i thought, you got to be out of your mind!!! i politely said no. not interested. what are people thinking? he asked me not to say anything to my buddy, called him the next day and spilled the beans. funny thing, his response would of been to just get on the phone and call the police. how would of that have been on the guy trying to pull a practical joke on him. 
__________________
TURBO YES =VAF= Payed Jan2019
Ed D'Arcy
RV6-A 5,200+ hrs, R-44 1,600 hrs, Helicycle 320 hrs, gyro sold,35,000 miles flown in 2015 
Stuart, Fl / S WINDSOR,Ct / Virgin Gorda, BVI - under major repair from hurricane damage
VAF #840 EAA AOPA FAC FABA QB SPA
addicted pickle ball player
https://i.postimg.cc/tn3h4svg/IMG-3101.jpg
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08-22-2012, 10:24 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,932
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If you really feel you need an immobilizer, maybe one of the key fobs like the cars use now, with power to the RF circuit wired to the left mag switch, and the "detection" circuit wired to the starter?
Personally, I have toggles for the mags and the starter (with a flip-cover on the starter), and the only lock on the plane is on the canopy latch. I don't want a keyswitch on the panel, the key fob just flops around during aerobatics.
__________________
Rob Prior
1996 RV-6 "Tweety" C-FRBP (formerly N196RV)
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08-22-2012, 10:40 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 2,473
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV8R999
Dan, yes depending on the features on the alarm. If you are not interested in a remote wireless arming key fob thingy then you can purchase a system which only draws power when you activate by switch mounted someplace in or on the airplane. I used one with a wireless key fob which keeps the receiver powered all the time. Some of the really sophisticated alarms these days can send you a text msg or call the police when activated. The alarm I installed cost about $150 weighed about 1 lbs - do not remember the brand but it was not the least expensive model and certainly not the most expensive. Most have far more features than you'll ever need but even this one came with several door switches, a relay to disconnect the starter solenoid, a relay to flash lights, relays to activate door locks, and a motion detector. I tried the motion detector for awhile but this was a really bad idea - duh  The radar detector versions are typically set-up for convertibles since the volume inside the car cockpit is easily accessible without opening a door. .
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Interesting this topic of a simple aircraft alarm should come up again! Some years ago a now deceased early rv-10 builder envisioned such a system...that we planned on developing. Unfortunately he died before the plane was ever finished and we could work on the project. That being said, if someone is interested and has the time/motivation to do this, I was granted and own a current US utility patent on such a device (aircraft security alarm system) - just sitting in the file cabinet waiting!
Cheers,
Stein
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