Netters Unfortunately I have to agree with the local jurisdiction on their decision to prohibit the repair and construction of cars, trucks, and now light aircraft outside of a building and the storage of such items in side or backyards, regardless of its intended use.
In cities like Jacksonville, where it is already a severe problem that vehicles of all kinds find "themselves" first parked and then later, parted out as "project" cars or trucks, to open up the possibility of someone finding a loop hole to exploit, so that now they can have a auto repair shop in their back yard, or driveway, due to undefined "projects" present, would end up a massive problem for all residential property owners. My old subdivision was governed by the City of Sanford Florida. They had a city ordinance that no repairs to any automobile, truck, or "vehicle" including trailers, could be accomplished in the open in your driveway. Any repairs desired could be accomplished inside an enclosed garage or out building, to include project car restorations, and specifically my airplane in my single car garage. They knew about my plane, and openly stated that as long as it was never stored outside, or that repairs and construction were conducted inside the garage, that I was fine and within the law. They KNEW it would or could take years to finish; that was okay. By prohibiting the storage of parts of anything, planes or cars, or machines, in the opne side or back yards, or in the driveways of residential homes is nothing more than legislation that protects home owner values. When it is inside your garage, out of sight from your neighbor, and they want to interfere, it is a violation of your civil rights. When your neighbor can see it, and can find it an eye sore, even if it is not one, then you are encroaching on your neighbor's rights. You might not like him storing a sign promoting Gay Rights propped against the side of his house, facing yours. To him, he might find your partially assembled plane peeking out from under a cover, just as offensive. WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND that many people DO NOT share our passion for flying, nor do they understand our commitment to its enjoyment. We already have too many pilots who beligerently assert their right to fly, even though they have been asked to conduct such operations with noise abatement, but disregard this request saying it is their right to fly! Years later the airport is shut down because there is only several hundred pilot votes to remain open, compared to many thousands non-pilot votes to close the airport. Like it or not, these are our neighbors. We have to find a way to compromise, or solos like the one that just happened are going to gradually become less and less frequent. They will just lock us out of their airspace, and then who knows what next.... Sorry about the length; but I can see both sides, and I have BEEN on the enforcement side. For every situation that has merit, there are 10 that are just blatent violations. We have to work with administrations for the common good, just like we work with the FAA, though we don't always agree with them.... Colin Rainey N96TA Ormond Beach, FL
