Remove rubber cover from spare tire lock during flight judging?

[David P.]

I admit I've never judged exteriors before... Is it common for judges to request the owner remove the rubber boot from the spare tire lock for inspection during flight judging? (My question is not whether a judge should remove the cover; that should never happen. The owner would do that, if done at all.)

I would not have thought so, given the almost certain damage that would occur to an original boot if you tried to remove it. There are so many threads about finding and restoring the locks that I'm thinking they must be judged without the rubber boots though...

[Tom R.]

Re: Remove rubber cover from spare tire lock during flight judging?

Late C3 we don't...looking at the quality/condition/originality of the rubber boot not the guts as shipped from the factory. But you're correct...would not want a judge to manipulate or move parts like the sun visor.

[Gary B.]

Re: Remove rubber cover from spare tire lock during flight judging?

I admit I've never judged exteriors before... Is it common for judges to request the owner remove the rubber boot from the spare tire lock for inspection during flight judging? (My question is not whether a judge should remove the cover; that should never happen. The owner would do that, if done at all.)

I would not have thought so, given the almost certain damage that would occur to an original boot if you tried to remove it. There are so many threads about finding and restoring the locks that I'm thinking they must be judged without the rubber boots though...

Dave,

I've witnessed a fair number of spare tire locks being judged for originality and condition and I have never seen a judge ask an owner to remove the boot. One can determine all that one needs to know by peeking into the slot in the rubber on the top side where the key inserts, by gently looking around an edge of the boot near the large hole on the bottom, and by palpating the nose area on the top. There is little else to learn by removing the boot and a lot to risk in terms of the possibility of having the owner tear his/her own boot by trying to remove it.

Gary

[David P.]

Re: Remove rubber cover from spare tire lock during flight judging?

Gary and Tom, thanks. In putting my own C3 together for a run at Top Flight, I found myself doing some studying in prep for our Chapter meet and some OJ duty at Nationals in KC. Great info/advice guys.

[Michael J.]

Re: Remove rubber cover from spare tire lock during flight judging?

Dave,

I've witnessed a fair number of spare tire locks being judged for originality and condition and I have never seen a judge ask an owner to remove the boot. One can determine all that one needs to know by peeking into the slot in the rubber on the top side where the key inserts, by gently looking around an edge of the boot near the large hole on the bottom, and by palpating the nose area on the top. There is little else to learn by removing the boot and a lot to risk in terms of the possibility of having the owner tear his/her own boot by trying to remove it.

Gary

+1, mine is original and would turn into rubber powder if they tried. Then I would ask for compensation.