We all know of hangar rash. I've even caused some once (and owned up to it).
If any non-flyer approaches me and asks about the MiniMax I always go into a kind of salesman mode, flight data, range, speed, costs, licences and such stuff.
Every person so far has been persuaded to get into the cockpit and for a better idea of what it would be like to fly I pick up the tail to flying attitude. Did this once for a non-flying friend - doesn't even fly in airliners. I picked up and moved the elevator so that the stick would move. He spooked! He said for an instant he thought the plane had a mind of its own and was about to kidnap him.
Last Saturday I was at a deserted (it always is) Oxton microlight strip. A young bloke approached from the footpath with his spaniel. Usual stuff: pointed out that the wings are fabric-covered and won't bear weight, how to get in, what to hold etc. He got in.
And then the ******g dog jumped onto the wing and tried to get in with him!
I can tell you, the wing covering is stronger than you might think but there is now a one-eighth inch oval hole in the aileron covering. |