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aircraft covers recommendation?
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:38 pm
by futr_alaskaflyer
Hi all-
I'm about to buy wing and cowl covers for my bird, and would appreciate a recommendation. There are at least two shops up here in Alaska that I know about, but would be interested in anyone's up/down vote on a particular brand or manufacturer anywhere.
I'm thinking about getting spoilers on the wing covers, and I'm a little worried about the ability of a cloth wing cover to weather the sharp edges of my VG's
Anyway thanks for any advice.
I keep my plane outside. Lots of dry snow, lots of sub -20 degree temps. Brrr...too cold to even think about right now!
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:03 pm
by Robert Eilers
Might take a look at Bruce's Custom Covers,
http://www.aircraftcovers.com. The covers I have seen are well made. The cover I almost ordered was about $350. There is a two to three week wait for the cover. I wound up being able to modify an old 206 cover and not needing a new one.
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:38 pm
by jrenwick
I have Kennon winter cowling, propeller and spinner covers for my 170. They're well made, work well, and are easy to put on. I had to work with them to get the right shape for a 170, but they know how to do it now.
http://kennoncovers.com/
Best Regards,
John
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:19 am
by N419A
I've been petty happy with the Alaska Tent and Tarp cover, the coldest I've preheated was -40F (to get home). It seem to be holding up well with all my oil leaking on it.
Paul
http://www.alaskatent.com/products/cove ... covers.htm
Re: aircraft covers recommendation?
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:37 am
by alaskan99669
futr_alaskaflyer wrote:
, and I'm a little worried about the ability of a cloth wing cover to weather the sharp edges of my VG's
Anyway thanks for any advice.
http://www.alaskawingcovers.com/ has them with or without spoilers and for $50 an area of VG reinforcement.
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 11:43 am
by AR Dave
Be aware that when the wind blows, so do the wing covers. If I was getting some now (I had cheap ones that came with the plane) they'd be quality and a perfict fit. Some of the old covers used to scratch, sand, and even bend parts when the Matanuska got up. I took mine off before wind storms.
Hey futr, please get us a calendar picture of a 170 in Denali Park or with a 20,320 ft mtn in the background?
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:31 pm
by jon s blocker
N419A, are those Gar Aero wheels you have in that picture? If so, how do you like them? If not, what are they? Had a set on my PA 12. Are they any better than 850's on your 170? If I'm not mistaking their foot print is a bit wider. Thinking of coming up next year, and have to figure what type of tire we want to have. Might get some 31" Bush Wheels, then sell them when we come back. Jon
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 2:24 am
by buchanan
I've used them both.
http://www.alaskawingcovers.com/ are the best.
I've used Bruce's, Kennon's and AK tent and tarp in Fairbanks and alaska wingcovers are the best.
Buck, Galena, AK
PS I don't have their engine cover, it is a Kennon (I think) from a C-182 but it works well.
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:09 am
by futr_alaskaflyer
AR Dave wrote:Be aware that when the wind blows, so do the wing covers. If I was getting some now (I had cheap ones that came with the plane) they'd be quality and a perfict fit. Some of the old covers used to scratch, sand, and even bend parts when the Matanuska got up. I took mine off before wind storms.
Hey futr, please get us a calendar picture of a 170 in Denali Park or with a 20,320 ft mtn in the background?
Sure, I'll see if I can't land on Wonder Lake this winter and get a shot of the mountain in the background
Because any photo will absolutely have to have the bird on skis! As soon as I can find some that is.
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 2:21 pm
by doug8082a
futr_alaskaflyer wrote:AR Dave wrote:Be aware that when the wind blows, so do the wing covers. If I was getting some now (I had cheap ones that came with the plane) they'd be quality and a perfict fit. Some of the old covers used to scratch, sand, and even bend parts when the Matanuska got up. I took mine off before wind storms.
Hey futr, please get us a calendar picture of a 170 in Denali Park or with a 20,320 ft mtn in the background?
Sure, I'll see if I can't land on Wonder Lake this winter and get a shot of the mountain in the background
Because any photo will absolutely have to have the bird on skis! As soon as I can find some that is.
Great! Ski pics for the calendar are in short supply. The more the better.
Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 8:26 am
by hilltop170
I've been using Alaska Wing Covers for over 20 years and still using parts of the original set I bought from them. I wouldn't use anything else. The spoiler covers are the only way to go on the wings. They will save your plane if you ever get stuck out in a strong blow without proper tiedowns. The plane will not fly with them on. Go ahead and get a full set of wing, tail, windshield, and prop covers. You will not be sorry. Linda has good patterns, many choices on fabrics and colors, and has many of the different wing tip designs so they fit just right. Since each set is custom made to your specs, the engine cover can have as much or little insulation as you want. I had her add some hooks to hold a piece of oil absorbant pad under the engine area so oil leaks don't get on the cover. She will also repair or modify them later if you need it. The wing covers can have a strip of tear resistant fabric sewn into the area where VGs are located and it works very well.
Re: aircraft covers recommendation?
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:43 am
by alaskan99669
Okay, I decided to go with Alaska Wing Covers for the tail and wings, but which type:
Mesh Wing Covers with Spoilers $360.00
Coated Nylon Wing Covers $340.00
Vented Wing Covers $360.00
Vented Wing Covers with Spoilers $380.00
Polyester Wing Covers $370.00
Polyester Vented Wing Covers $400.00
Polyester Vented Wing Covers with Spoilers $425.00
http://www.alaskawingcovers.com/index.html
I'm thinking the Mesh as I have been seeing more of those appear lately and the web site claims they are "destined to be our best selling winter aircraft covers". Anyone have any experience good or bad with the Mesh covers?
Re: aircraft covers recommendation?
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:07 pm
by hilltop170
alaskan99669 wrote:Okay, I decided to go with Alaska Wing Covers for the tail and wings, but which type:
Mesh Wing Covers with Spoilers $360.00
http://www.alaskawingcovers.com/index.html
I'm thinking the Mesh as I have been seeing more of those appear lately and the web site claims they are "destined to be our best selling winter aircraft covers". Anyone have any experience good or bad with the Mesh covers?
Get the mesh with spoilers. Tell Linda which wing tips/wing extensions you have and that you have vortex generators and she'll sew in a liner so they won't tear the mesh. The vented covers still balloon up in a wind, the mesh will stay put.
Re: aircraft covers recommendation?
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:57 am
by jaime72
Holy smokes Richard is a smart guy, and with so many Cessna Taildraggers I can't believe I would even think of not agreeing with him. But.....
I would definitely NOT go with the mesh. I just received a complete set of covers from Linda at Alaska Wing Covers last week. I belong to two Citabria's (in addition to the 170) and have both mesh and vented nylon covers. The vented nylon are superior in these cycles of freeze thaw. You wouldn't believe how much paint you can pull off of your wings when the mesh goes through a thaw/freeze and then you remove them. Ugly. Not to mention all of the ice left attached to your wing.
The mesh are lighter, more compact, and don't balloon in the wind. Sure. But the trade-off is huge. Also, LInda cuts these wing covers pretty tight. We had some of those big blows at Birchwood and while out with the plane I never saw the vented cover balloon with air. Keep the bungee's adjusted and they will work great.
Of course, if weight and space are big concerns, consider the mesh. Otherwise after living with the two concurrently I would never choose the mesh.
Wow, can't believe I said all of that.
Re: aircraft covers recommendation?
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:25 pm
by hilltop170
Jaime-
I bought my first set of the nylon covers in 1983 before the vented or mesh covers were available. I still use those same covers on the C-180. They have been repaired several times and are badly faded but still in good shape otherwise. They fit very snug and stood up to wind fairly well but would balloon some. I later bought a set of mesh covers and have used both since depending on what I was doing. .
The difference is what you need covers for. The nylon covers were used for winter storage to keep ice from adhering to and accumulating on the wings especially during spring while it was sitting for days in its tiedown. They would freeze down to the plane and when I was ready to go flying they were sometimes hard to peel off but never took off any paint. They keep the wings virtually spotless of ice buildup.
The mesh covers were used when I flew out for overnight or hunting trips where I might not have good tiedowns and the wind might be blowing. The spoiler covers will keep the plane from flying and it is much more stable in a strong wind. If they got snowed on, it would sift down thru the mesh but would usually wipe off when the covers were pulled. If it rains or thaws with the mesh then freezes, you are correct, different story, they will stick hard.
Since you say the vented don't balloon up, maybe the nylon with vents and spoilers would be the best compromise.