Signs of Use - Signs of Life!

[Ironflight]

Oshkosh reminded me again just how much respect I have for people who can produce big-time award-winning aircraft. The time and dedication that it takes to walk away from the ?Big Show? with an award is tremendous, and seeing how many beautiful airplanes there are I realize that I?m just not in that league. Seeing every rivet perfectly set, every paint line perfectly drawn and a finish so smooth that it appears to have been poured into shape just knocks my socks off. This year I ran across a past Grand Champion (restoration) from a few years ago, and it looked as gorgeous as it did when I ran across it in a hangar at a fuel stop a few years ago ? and couldn?t believe the workmanship and time that went in to it.

But with all that said, I must admit that when I walk the lines, I also admire another category of aircraft. These are the ones that show the care and attention of their owners and builders, yet also show those tell-tale signs of wear. A few chips of paint missing off an oil door hinge or next to a cowl screw. Discolored exhaust stacks and a stained tailwheel spring from breather oil. A spot of touch-up paint on a leading edge from a rock, or on the interior canopy latch striker plate. I call these little things ?Signs of Use?, and I have a great admiration for what they represent ? an airplane that gets flown!

Again, I?ll emphasize my respect for the absolute award winners ? their airplanes are gorgeous. But I wonder sometimes just how often they get taken out and flown. It is as hard to maintain an airplane in perfect condition as it is to produce a perfect specimen to begin with. Few people have the time to spend keeping a machine perfect while still using it. But I like to believe that airplanes are made to be flown. Some people are builders first, and pilots second; others are pilots who built because they had to in order to get the airplane they want. I am somewhere in between, and respect each person?s position within that spectrum.

But I love the stories that an airplane has locked inside it ? stories of places it?s been, weather it has seen, adventures experienced. A pilot with an RV is a modern day cowboy, free to roam the country from coast to coast and to experience the wild freedom of the sky. It takes hours to do that, hours that take a toll on a perfect fit or finish. I take great pride in the way my airplane looks, but I have always known that it is not perfect, and that works in my favor, because I am not afraid of letting it show a few signs of wear, badges of honor. As we approach 1,000 hours of flight together, I think she still looks pretty good (and Louise will tell you that I still clean the bugs off each day?), but I am not terribly worried that I have a crack in the bottom of a wheel pant that most people can?t see, or a spot where I had to stop-drill a crack under the rudder pedals. After a thousand hours of flying, I expect some wear and tear!

So when I go to a show like Oshkosh, or an RV gathering like LOE, I look for those airplanes with stories to tell. Where have they been? How many nights have they spent on strange ramps, their owners enjoying the fruits of all those years of building? How many times have they been upside down, and how often have they shared the joy of flight with a passenger who has never before flown in such a delightful airplane? Those oil drips on the trailing edge of the cowling tell as much as a blue ribbon on the prop, or a trophy on the wing. You won?t see them listed on the EAA web site ? but you might just find a feature article in the magazine, telling of the adventures to be had when you are willing to accept a few ?signs of use??.

Paul

[RV10Man]

Paul:
I've felt the same way for years. I walk the grounds at OSH and see all the perfection and wonder how much it gets flown. Then look at the not-so-perfect airplane and say "I'll bet you have some stories to tell".
As for me, I'm not building a show plane, I'm building a flying machine for me and the family.

Marshall Alexander
RV10 N781DM

[plehrke]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

It is as hard to maintain an airplane in perfect condition as it is to produce a perfect specimen to begin with. Few people have the time to spend keeping a machine perfect while still using it. But I like to believe that airplanes are made to be flown. Some people are builders first, and pilots second; others are pilots who built because they had to in order to get the airplane they want. I am somewhere in between, and respect each person?s position within that spectrum.

I was told after my first flight that every flight from now on was "just wearing it out". I fly most of the time early in the morning, landing just about when the regulars show up at the airport. They ask if I was "up wearing out my airplane".

I clean the bugs and belly after every flight, monitor every scratch, nick, and crack as if it is a show plane (at least to me) but never regret the flying as that is what I built her for. I now have 300 hours on my RV; 300 hours of pure fun/excitement. I have unknown hours of care and maintenance as well. All to try and balance what my idea is of being a proud builder/owner and an excited pilot/flyer.

[DanH]

Just for the record....there is no aircraft judging penalty for normal wear and tear, and new judges are specifically instructed on that point. The EAA Judging Standards Manual is specific:

E. Aircraft General Condition
Most owners are proud of their aircraft and spend considerable effort to remove dust, oil and exhaust stains from their aircraft. An aircraft, which is obviously not cared for, should be downgraded. Aircraft are intended to fly and allowances will be made for discoloration and the inevitable minor traces of flight. An airplane need not be absolutely new in order to compete.

Builders have been known to take extra steps so certain things don't develop signs of wear. For example, well done hidden hinge oil doors and plated/polished canopy latches don't show paint chipping. Details count.

That said, I certainly agree with the premise of Paul's post. Get it judged when new, while it's easy.....then fly the snot out of it.

[JonJay]

It was nice meeting you at Osh. One of my favorites there was an older 4 of excellent workmanship and construction but was very long in the tooth. Lots of battle scars, wear and tear, and it made me smile to look at it and know that is what mine will look like someday, and I will be proud of every scratch, ding, and chip.

[Bubblehead]

I just checked out Doug's pictures of wear on his plane, and when combined with this thread feel a little better. My -8 never started as a show plane but I am flying the heck out of it. Haven't seen any evidence of snot yet though! I've put about 40 hours on it since May 1, and leave Saturday for a week in Wyoming. Up and back by RV, back packing with friends in the Wind River range for the middle 5 days.

I've got a small dent in the back of the left aileron. Came with the plane so don't know the story. Scratches on the cowl from on/offs for oil changes and the engine work last winter. Paint is worn on the left side of the cockpit from operating the throttle. More cowl scratches from the time a big wind knocked them around in my hanger during an oil change. Marks on the fuse top from the canopy seals. Lots more dings than I can remember, but I know I've put a lot of work into the plane to improve the wiring, engine, and instrumentation and it's better than when I bought it.

After 130 hours in this plane it's starting to become my friend and confidant, and may someday approach the "favorite old guitar" stage, although my Martin is still way out in front.

I love the show planes. People do amazing work, but at least for now I feel like I don't have to apologize for having a working pony instead of a show horse.