Aircraft park out side

[McRay7ac]

How many people park Taylorcraft outside do to high hanger rent and how many years will fabric last out in weather.

[gilligansae]

Re: Aircraft park out side

I have owned my Tcraft for 17 yrs. I live in Western NY. It has been parked outside 99% of the entire time I have owned it. I have covered it religiously with Bruce's Custom Covers.
My fabric is Superflite with Polyurethane Paint from ~ 1987 (sanded and re-painted by me in 2015). I have had to make some repairs and I would rate my fabric a 6 or 7 out of 10.

Other than the hassle its been OK. I would love to have it indoors 100% of the time and from this year on I probably will, but so far its been OK.
I would NOT ever leave it outside for extended periods without covers.

[Peterroy]

Re: Aircraft park out side

Ray,

I have a set of Bruce's Custom Covers. I bought them in mid-2014. The set includes wing covers, fuselage/empennage cover, and windscreen/doors cover. The upgraded wing covers include an inch of foam padding that protects against hail damage. All four pieces are in very good condition. Storage bags are included. I only used them for one season and they have been siting in my attic ever since.

I have been trying to sell them, both on this Forum and on eBay. Though there have been interested parties, the cost of shipping has been too steep to justify. Maybe you can figure out a way to get the shipping costs down. Another thought -- I live about an hour from Las Vegas. Are you planning on coming out this way?

The original cost was a little over $1,800. I would like to get $600 OBO for the set. That's a good price for these.

Peter

[skip]

Re: Aircraft park out side

My BC12-D was covered in the early 90s by a previous owner with Stitts. For much of the fabric's life it was outside. In 2006 after some hail damage, I recovered and rebuilt the wings with Stewart Systems and have put on a set of Bruce's Custom Covers. At the time of recover after 15 years, the fabric passed a Maule tester at its highest setting.

I keep it covered now with my Bruce's covers but it is more for keeping rain out and hail and snow off. I really don't think that the fabric life is such an issue as long as it doesn't develop finish cracks or ringworms that let light through to the underlying fabric.

The big issue to me is that rain had clearly gotten around the aileron hinge brackets and ruined the spars. They were completely rebuilt with new wood during my recover. I did do a better job of sealing fabric on the ailerons than the original job, but my covers now mean that rain isn't getting anywhere near the openings in the aileron bracket areas or into the wing roots. The wing roots and cockpit area would be my biggest concerns on a plane left open outside. The ailerons spars can be examined. The wing roots are a bit harder.

I think the planes can survive nicely outside with a good set of covers. I recommend the Bruce's Custom Covers. Thay have worked well for me.

[DPKII]

Re: Aircraft park out side

Personally I think it has a lot to do with the climate where you live. I see you are in Texas like me and I am about the same distance from the Gulf as you. It is hard enough keep corrosion and rust away with a hangered aircraft in this climate. I wouldn't park any aircraft outside for an extended period of time. I have seen many aircraft both fabric and metal pretty much deteriorated by the climate here. I guess parked is the keyword here. If you fly very frequently you probably can get away with leaving it outside, but parked for extended periods of time will surely start rust and corrosion.

[Scott]

Re: Aircraft park out side

Weather is an issue due to the potential for damage by hail, strong winds, water accumulation etc. Various vermin will do damage too.

The biggest issues over time are water accumulation (rusts out aileron tips, elevator tubes, lower fuselage tubes, bottom of the rudder and steal ribs in the tail feathers) and UV, which will gradually ruin any and all finishes, especially reds and blue tones. UV is really the only thing, other than physical damage, that will hurt polyester fabric. Assuming enough aluminized coating was used during the recover, the fabric will outlast the topcoat.

It's good to know what process was used to recover the aircraft. If dope was used chances are that issues associated with continued shrinking might be the determining factor i.e. the fabric might still be good but deformation of ribs, trailing edges, stringers could be a problem (and you can't stop this by hangaring the aircraft).

Don't under estimate the value of piece of mind. It's nice not to have to worry about your bird, and a hangar is the ultimate man-cave!!! Enjoy your aircraft even when not flying.

I pay too much for hangar space... so I drive a 96 Jeep!