While flipping through the August issue of Sport Aviation, I noticed a very familiar plane / photo in the Sky Struck (LoPresti) ad on page 120. It is definatly a slightly doctored picture that Ed Hick took of my plane a couple years back, and posted here:
http://www.vansairforce.net/EdHicks/733JJ2.JPG
Looking at the ad, I wasn't even sure of what was being advertised and there is no web site mentioned. I called the company and asked to talk to sales. Jim Shaft called me back and explained the ad was for a lighting system. When I mentioned that the plane in the ad was mine he laughed, said they don't even make them for RV-8's but they do fit 7's and 10's.
I expalined that the RV world is a small one, that many people know my plane and that I didn't appreciate it being used in an ad without my permission or that of the photographer, after all, Ed ownes the photo. Jim said he would look into the matter and get back to me. It has been two weeks and I have not heard a word.
I don't know what the laws are about lifting pictures off the web for commercial purposes but at best it is unethical. I suspect they used my plane because it is a bit more generic and less well known then say, The Doll.
I have no knowledge of Sky Struck or its products but I do not like thier business practices.
Scott A. Jordan
N733JJ
http://www.vansairforce.net/EdHicks/733JJ2.JPG
Looking at the ad, I wasn't even sure of what was being advertised and there is no web site mentioned. I called the company and asked to talk to sales. Jim Shaft called me back and explained the ad was for a lighting system. When I mentioned that the plane in the ad was mine he laughed, said they don't even make them for RV-8's but they do fit 7's and 10's.
I expalined that the RV world is a small one, that many people know my plane and that I didn't appreciate it being used in an ad without my permission or that of the photographer, after all, Ed ownes the photo. Jim said he would look into the matter and get back to me. It has been two weeks and I have not heard a word.
I don't know what the laws are about lifting pictures off the web for commercial purposes but at best it is unethical. I suspect they used my plane because it is a bit more generic and less well known then say, The Doll.
I have no knowledge of Sky Struck or its products but I do not like thier business practices.
Scott A. Jordan
N733JJ