This is just a little advice for newbies and others who just didn't think of it.

We were flying last Saturday May 3 in Northern Wisconsin. Just a gourgeous day, light winds with occasional medium gusts.

My instructor and I burned up two tanks of fuel in my trainer and bench tested my just completed TF Contender. I had put the Contender in its rack safe and sound under the Tonneau cover in the bed of the truck.

We were enjoying the day and talking about the flights and what I am learning and general BS with the other pilots at the field when along came a mini tornado out of nowhere , lifted up the trainer off of the bench and deposited it on a 2x4 used as a hold back on the bench.

Two broken ribs and two nice holes in the Monokote. All repairable and not a very big deal all in all.

Moral of the story, Tie down your planes when you won't be paying particular attention to them. It will save you the trouble of 'splaining how you punched a hole in your wing when you weren't even flying the plane and the engine was off. My wife thought it was really funny, I felt like a dufus.

Live and Learn! :surprised

That's one of the darn things about this hobby, you just never seen it all. I had just finished an Ultr-coted Cub and had left the wing lying on my work bench. One of our cats got into the workshop through an open window, jumped up on the work bench and, well you can guess. Live and learn, hopefully.

While our field has work tables, I prefer to set my planes on the ground to help prevent this from happening. Sometimes it doesn't matter how careful you are -- SH.

A couple of week ago my Sig SE was sitting on the table while I was flying another plane. Up came the wind. Well I could not get to my SE, so I asked for help. Thankfully two fellow flyers got it before it came off the table and put it under the table. Wow, I was relieved.
It is a good idea to keep them on the ground.

Bill

I had a problem with one of my cats who just couldn't leave the airplanes alone. It's amazing what a little scotch tape, placed sticky side up on the work bench, can do to "learn" a kitty

Thanks, Tattoo! I'm gonna try that one. Got a bunch of little bitty tooth marks in the leading edge of my stabilizer from one of my wife's li'l friends. He's lucky to still be alive.
Another case for coro. No repair needed. Looks ugly, flies fine.

Well, the good news is that you now have proof it does better flying with you at the controls than without you.

Repairs give them character.

Another "learn a kitty" trick is to stategically place 2 or 3 mouse traps on the table. When one goes off, it'll scare the ba-gee-bee's out of him. Seen this trick used to keep cats off sofa's. It doesn't usually tag the cat, rather, it trips from vibrations. May have to peel the cat off the ceiling, but your planes will be OK.

Little alcohol on that kitty's hiny applyed with a wire brush. No more kitty! Last time you see that cat it'll be down the road like like a streak of s@#$!

Cool idea, Ed! Entertainment value is a plus!