Putting a Plane into Storage

[JAX]

Is there a procedure or can anyone offer advice on putting a plane into
long term storage, so that the airframe is protected and a few years
down the road it can be brought back up with a minimum of fuss and
lubing? Should the plane be wrapped somehow to keep insects and
critters from getting in? The plane is currently flying, and we're in
kind of a humid climate.

[Doug]

Pickle the engine and cover the top with clear plastic. Use those
clamps to clamp the plastic tight.

[Allen]

"JAX" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Is there a procedure or can anyone offer advice on putting a plane into
> long term storage, so that the airframe is protected and a few years
> down the road it can be brought back up with a minimum of fuss and
> lubing? Should the plane be wrapped somehow to keep insects and
> critters from getting in? The plane is currently flying, and we're in
> kind of a humid climate.

If at all possible move the aircraft to a dry climate and pickle the engine.
I don't know about wrapping it, especially in a humid environment. You
would need to use some type of breathable wrap so you wouldn't get problems
from condensation. I used to work at an FBO in New Mexico, we had a V35A
that belonged to a fellow from Florida who was in the Navy and was being
shipped out for several years. The engine was pickled and the windows
covered; that was about it. The airplane was still in the hangar two years
later when I left.

Allen

[JAX]

Unfortunately moving it to a dry climate is not doable. As far as
wrapping, we were worried about the same things you brought up. Maybe
just a canopy or tarp over the upper cabin would help, but still let
the plane breathe? Also, wasps seem to love to build nests in any
plane sitting more than a couple of days around here, so we'd have to
plug up all obvious holes and vents to keep them out. Does anyone know
a good source for cans of anti-dessicant we can put in the fuselage to
compensate for the reduced natural airflow?

Allen wrote:
> "JAX" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> > Is there a procedure or can anyone offer advice on putting a plane into
> > long term storage, so that the airframe is protected and a few years
> > down the road it can be brought back up with a minimum of fuss and
> > lubing? Should the plane be wrapped somehow to keep insects and
> > critters from getting in? The plane is currently flying, and we're in
> > kind of a humid climate.
>
> If at all possible move the aircraft to a dry climate and pickle the engine.
> I don't know about wrapping it, especially in a humid environment. You
> would need to use some type of breathable wrap so you wouldn't get problems
> from condensation. I used to work at an FBO in New Mexico, we had a V35A
> that belonged to a fellow from Florida who was in the Navy and was being
> shipped out for several years. The engine was pickled and the windows
> covered; that was about it. The airplane was still in the hangar two years
> later when I left.
>
> Allen

[George Patterson]

Doug wrote:
> Pickle the engine and cover the top with clear plastic. Use those
> clamps to clamp the plastic tight.

Do *not* cover with plastic. Condensation will form under the plastic and
produce real corrosion problems.

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

[Tina Marie]

In article . com>, JAX wrote:
> plug up all obvious holes and vents to keep them out. Does anyone know
> a good source for cans of anti-dessicant we can put in the fuselage to
> compensate for the reduced natural airflow?

Our local UHaul place sells buckets of dessicant - you might check
with your local store.

http://store.uhaul.com/(4i5iqurech1nmyqhbvrpx3zm)/productdetails.aspx?id=5961

Tina Marie

[GraveRobber]

Look up Damp Rid on the internet. I think you can pick it up at your local
hardware store.

--
GraveRobber
Ready to dig through time.
Any Place,
Anytime,
Any time period!

[BTIZ]

don't put it into storage.. send it out here to the dry desert and well keep
it flying for you

BT

"JAX" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Is there a procedure or can anyone offer advice on putting a plane into
> long term storage, so that the airframe is protected and a few years
> down the road it can be brought back up with a minimum of fuss and
> lubing? Should the plane be wrapped somehow to keep insects and
> critters from getting in? The plane is currently flying, and we're in
> kind of a humid climate.
>

[[email protected]]

Shell 2F on the engine and cylinders.

[Mike W.]

"JAX" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Is there a procedure or can anyone offer advice on putting a plane into
> long term storage, so that the airframe is protected and a few years
> down the road it can be brought back up with a minimum of fuss and
> lubing? Should the plane be wrapped somehow to keep insects and
> critters from getting in? The plane is currently flying, and we're in
> kind of a humid climate.
>
Have you thought about leasing it out to a flying club or filight school?
That way the maint. will be kept up, and it might even earn you a little
cash instead of rotting in the hangar.

--
Hello, my name is Mike, and I am an airplane addict....

[Doug]

Well I am in Colorado where it is fairly dry. We don't wrap the wing in
plastic, just drape in across the top and secure it with gromets and
string or those clamps. No one is getting condensation. If you are
worried about condesation, put some wood blocks on top of the wing to
get some air circulation. Also, Aircraft Spruce sells spark plug hole
fitting gadgets that have dessicate in them. Keeps your cylinders dry
if you don't want to pickle, though pickling is best option for the
engine. Plug all the holes with cut foam or some such to prevent
critters from getting in. If you have a tailwheel you can put a metal
can around it so nothing crawls up and into the fuselage. The planes
that don't have plastic on them and sit for a long time get bird
droppings and a lot of dust collecting on the top. Best to protect it.
Wash it and wax it before you store it. When you undo it to fly again
you will appreciate all the work you did to preserve it. Hangars cost
upwards of 5k a year, so it is questionable whether it is cost
effective. Contact your insurance agent and see if they have storage
only insurance, you might save some there.