As I grow older, I realize that I can say what needs to be said without insulting people.  And yes, I can be more blunt with my friends.  However, a couple of years ago I was being shown a Legendary Mustang kit at the local airport, which is surprisingly similar in construction technique to our Lancairs.  Some construction aspects were done very well and some were not.  The bad ones that I remember all involved the wing fuel tanks.  The fuel tank sealer was poorly applied without good coverage -- there was exposed fiberglass in many places.  But worse were the holes in the ribs that were not closed out with micro.  THERE WOULD BE HONEYCOMB DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO FUEL.  I told the builder that he needed to close out the holes so as not to allow fuel to contact the honeycomb and gradually soak thru the entire wing skin.  His response was appalling -- he had taken the hole that he cut out and stuck it in a jar of avgas to see if it would break down over time.  It looked okay after six months, so he was unconcerned.

I told him three times that he needed to close out the holes that were to be exposed to fuel.  I was polite about it.  I told him how I o make sure to get good coverage with the fuel tank sealer.  Did he listen?  No.  However, I stopped short of calling him a f**king idiot with a death wish because it would not have made a bit of difference.  If he ever finishes his plane, he WILL be an accident statistic.  Guaranteed.

What would you have me do?  Talk to the brick wall a little longer?  Call the "homebuilt airplane police"?  I said what needed to be said, three times, and was rebuffed every time.  No, I walked away and told myself that Darwin still works, but in this case it will take a little longer. 

- Rob Wolf