Spotted a perfect antenna install at the Reno air races

I was out at the Reno Air Races last weekend, just walking the static display area. I stopped to look at a restored Beechcraft Baron, and the antenna install on the belly caught my eye. Someone had done a flawless job with the VHF comm antenna. The sealant bead was absolutely perfect, no gaps or bubbles, and the paint match was so good you could barely see the edge. It was one of those jobs where you can tell the tech took their time and really cared. It's easy to get rushed on those, but seeing that level of craft was a nice reminder. Made me want to go back and re-check my own work from last Tuesday. Anyone else ever see an install in the wild that just made you nod in respect?

4 comments

4 Comments

gracej9914h ago

Seriously? It's just some sealant on an antenna. People get weird about the smallest things in aviation. It's not like a perfect bead makes the plane fly better. I've seen planes with messy installs that work just fine for years.

stella11114h ago

That kind of attention to detail is its own reward, honestly. I get what @gracej99 is saying, but a clean job just shows real pride in your work. It's the little things that make a plane look cared for, not just flown.

williams.luna17h ago

Did they use a laser level or just have freakishly steady hands?

the_rose17h ago

Check the corners and edges for pencil marks. I always draw a super light guide line with a ruler before I commit. If you look close, you can usually see where they started. A laser is overkill for something this small, but a steady hand comes from bracing your wrist on the table.