Fake Snakes: Protecting Your Airplane from the Public

Synthetic serpents on the wings make just the right statement for a vintage airplane pilot.

Monday, August 21, 2023 at 05:19 PM ET

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Ron Johnson from Rockford, Illinois, has a particularly clever means of protecting his 1941 Ryan PT-22—he puts realistic-looking toy snakes on the wings. The message is clear: Don’t tread on me. [Courtesy Dave Lefavour]

Key Takeaways:

Ron Johnson employs a clever method of placing realistic toy snakes on the wings of his vintage 1941 Ryan PT-22 to deter the public from touching or climbing on his aircraft at airshows.
The article highlights the common problem of non-aviation enthusiasts disrespecting display aircraft and how Johnson's simple, non-confrontational deterrent proves effective.
Johnson is a dedicated aircraft restorer and pilot, having restored his challenging PT-22 and owning a rare 1931 Buhl Bull Pup.
Beyond deterring people, toy snakes can also be used as scarecrows to keep birds away from aircraft.

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One of the first lessons we learn as children is “if it isn’t yours, don’t touch it.” However, there are many people who seem to forget this when they see a really cool airplane. Despite “Do Not Touch” signs hanging on the propeller, there are some folks who touch, lean on, and even climb on or into aircraft that don’t belong to them.

Ron Johnson from Rockford, Illinois, has a particularly clever means of protecting his 1941 Ryan PT-22—he puts realistic-looking toy snakes on the wings. The message is clear: Don’t tread on me.