RECIP TECHNOLOGY
Exceptional
Appearance
FROM TOPCOAT...
TO BOTTOM LINE™
Sherwin-Williams Aerospace
proudly introduces the
Photo by Tim Kern.
SKYscapes® basecoat-clearcoat
The Formula One and Biplane classes share a large hangar at Reno, where work
proceeds 24/7 during Race Week.
paint system that saves time
and money — imagine
being able to cut as much
as 30% from your painting
process time — and eliminating
A few are in the right place at the
right time (like when an engine
is getting changed, manually and
without any kind of lift) in the F
1 pits. Some of these people end
up affiliated with the team for the
rest of the week; some become
annual assets, planning their
vacations around Race Week.
Holding an A&P; certificate is
always beneficial, but at Reno it's
not always necessary and in some
cases, it wouldn't even help. Hotrodding experience, however, and
fabrication experience (especially
in welding, sheet, and composite)
are always appreciated. Painters
(and fillers and sanders), go-fers,
and coffee makers, too, can often
find an appreciative team.
Other qualities? As with any
high-end racing, it's good to be
able to think on your feet, even
when you're so tired it's hard to
stand upright. It's important to
be agile and alert — airplanes are
everywhere, and sometimes they
can get out of control. Practicing
yoga may help, too — some tasks
require phenomenal balance and
flexibility. But knowing how to
out-swear a sailor or out-lie a politician isn't appreciated — even
with all the tension and testosterone, Reno's a family place.
In fact, the ability to think and
discuss clearly, to analyze and
predict, to notice, question, and
investigate — these may be the
most-valuable assets any team
member may bring to the table.
For those who haven't been to
Reno, but are regular attendees
at other aviation events: Reno is
different. Oshkosh may be the
Detroit Auto Show; Reno is the
Indianapolis 500. If you've never
been to the Reno Air Races, go.
With the added burden of astronomical insurance and more
"attention" from the FAA and
disdain from the NTSB; with
encroaching development in the
Stead valley, and with the added
expenses of maintaining these aircraft, y'all can't count on Reno to
be there forever.
Go early — hotels are inexpensive before the official dates, and
fast flying starts a week before
the trophy races; and there are
interesting things going on in the
air all week — practice, qualifying, heat races. Bring sunscreen
and three seasons of clothing, and
lots of batteries for the camera.
Official dates are Sept. 11-15, 2013,
but come earlier if you can! AMT
most bake cycles. Plus, it
still provides the superior
appearance and durability that
the aviation industry expects
from Sherwin-Williams.
www.swaerospace.com
ASK
Find out more: www.airrace.org.
AviationPros.com/company/10134918
www.AMTSociety.org • www.AviationPros.com • Aircraft Maintenance Technology
April 2013
15