Saber25
Well Known Member
A beautiful RV-7 tied up outside the past three days in the transient parking area of our airport. I first noticed the bird sitting there on Monday but didn't have time to get a closer look and figured it was only going to be parked outside for a few hours. This morning after a flight in Miss Fusion, and after putting her back into the hangar, I noticed the -7 still sitting there and the wind was blowing hard out of the west.
Fine craftsmanship was obvious in the excellent riveting that appeared to be back riveted. I'm not familiar with the quality of the quick builds but this aircraft had the appearance of someone taking special care to produce a quality product.
Therefore, I was saddened to see that none of the controls had been secured and the plane was tied down with ramp chains which in windy conditions can cause damage. The controls were flopping back and forth and under stress due to our normally windy conditions in this valley. A canopy cover that was loose and floppy and probably trapping dust and dirt beneath it and possible causing damage to the canopy caught my attention.
Thanks to flight aware, your air track snitch, I discovered this was not the builder but second owner of the aircraft who carelessly left his airplane to existing unfavorable conditions. It disturbed me to know that an individual had put his heart and soul into this build and the the second owner had so little regard for the effort.
This begs the question, do second and third owners not make the connection with their aircraft since they don't have skin in the game other than dollars? Just insure to the hilt and "what me worry"?
Fine craftsmanship was obvious in the excellent riveting that appeared to be back riveted. I'm not familiar with the quality of the quick builds but this aircraft had the appearance of someone taking special care to produce a quality product.
Therefore, I was saddened to see that none of the controls had been secured and the plane was tied down with ramp chains which in windy conditions can cause damage. The controls were flopping back and forth and under stress due to our normally windy conditions in this valley. A canopy cover that was loose and floppy and probably trapping dust and dirt beneath it and possible causing damage to the canopy caught my attention.
Thanks to flight aware, your air track snitch, I discovered this was not the builder but second owner of the aircraft who carelessly left his airplane to existing unfavorable conditions. It disturbed me to know that an individual had put his heart and soul into this build and the the second owner had so little regard for the effort.
This begs the question, do second and third owners not make the connection with their aircraft since they don't have skin in the game other than dollars? Just insure to the hilt and "what me worry"?