Wing Covers Pro/Cons

[TF]

Just purchased my first plane and have it tied down. It has a canopy cover
but no wing covers. Walking around the airport I only notice one other
plane with wing covers. I would have thought wing covers would be good
protection. During the wnter the rentals would have them to prevent frost
but I didn't take notice of the others. Now that I have to worry about this
what's the story on the pro/cons of wing covers ?

Base in NJ.

Thanks.

[Paul kgyy]

I suspect the main problem is cost. I have a full set of Kennon
cabin, cowl, wing, and elevator covers for mine, and before I found a
reasonable hangar used the covers year-round. I can see the
difference on the finish between covered and uncovered areas. I still
use the wing covers in the hangar since the roof leaks.

Pros
1. In winter, keeps the surfaces ice free.
2. Protects from dirt and UV - paint holds up much better.
3. Keeps rain out of the tanks and interior.
4. Tail cover keeps birds out of the tail cone, cowl cover keeps
them out of the engine.

Cons
a. Additional capital cost
b. Time to uncover/recover. Putting covers on can be a pain when
it's windy, though you can develop techniques to help.

My overall opinion is that the covers are an excellent way to protect
your investment. Don't use nylon, though; go with the canvas covers,
as they breathe better after it rains.

[Robert M. Gary]

On Apr 2, 5:09 am, "TF" > wrote:
> Just purchased my first plane and have it tied down. It has a canopy cover
> but no wing covers. Walking around the airport I only notice one other
> plane with wing covers. I would have thought wing covers would be good
> protection. During the wnter the rentals would have them to prevent frost
> but I didn't take notice of the others. Now that I have to worry about this
> what's the story on the pro/cons of wing covers ?
>
> Base in NJ.
>
> Thanks.

Are your wings metal or fabric? Wing covers are almost a requirement
for fabric planes that live outside because the sun eats the fabric.

-Robert

[tony roberts]

Pros:
No ice/frost/snow on critical surfaces.,

Cons:
Time taking them on and off.

Comment:
It takes much longer to clear a wing of ice, than it does to remove a
wing cover. If you live where the temerature drops much below zero, I
cannot think of a single argument against wing covers.

HTH

Tony

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE



In article >,
"TF" > wrote:

> Just purchased my first plane and have it tied down. It has a canopy cover
> but no wing covers. Walking around the airport I only notice one other
> plane with wing covers. I would have thought wing covers would be good
> protection. During the wnter the rentals would have them to prevent frost
> but I didn't take notice of the others. Now that I have to worry about this
> what's the story on the pro/cons of wing covers ?
>
> Base in NJ.
>
> Thanks.

[Lou]

Where would I get information on these?
Not only who makes and sells them but also,
what they are made of?
I've been thinking of this for a while and although
my plane isn't finished yet, I may have no choice but
to keep it outside.
Lou

[Paul kgyy]

On Apr 4, 5:04 am, "Lou" > wrote:
> Where would I get information on these?
> Not only who makes and sells them but also,
> what they are made of?
> I've been thinking of this for a while and although
> my plane isn't finished yet, I may have no choice but
> to keep it outside.
> Lou

Do a google search for Kennon. There are other vendors also - Bruce
Custom Covers.

The web sites describe the benefits of their particular covers.

[Peter R.]

On 4/4/2007 2:21:41 AM, tony roberts wrote:

> If you live where the temerature drops much below zero, I
> cannot think of a single argument against wing covers.
>

I was told by my aircraft's previous owner that covers can scratch the paint.
Any truth to this?

--
Peter

[[email protected]]

Peter R. > wrote:
> On 4/4/2007 2:21:41 AM, tony roberts wrote:

> > If you live where the temerature drops much below zero, I
> > cannot think of a single argument against wing covers.
> >

> I was told by my aircraft's previous owner that covers can scratch the paint.
> Any truth to this?

Depends on the cover.

Some makers make a big deal about the non-scratching qualities of their
covers.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

[Dave Butler]

>> I was told by my aircraft's previous owner that covers can scratch the paint.
>> Any truth to this?
>
> Depends on the cover.
>
> Some makers make a big deal about the non-scratching qualities of their
> covers.

I'd think it would be just like with canopy covers. It doesn't matter
what material the cover is made from, if there is dirt on the plane,
it's going to scratch when the cover moves.

[Robert M. Gary]

On Apr 4, 8:30 am, "Paul kgyy" > wrote:
> On Apr 4, 5:04 am, "Lou" > wrote:
>
> > Where would I get information on these?
> > Not only who makes and sells them but also,
> > what they are made of?
> > I've been thinking of this for a while and although
> > my plane isn't finished yet, I may have no choice but
> > to keep it outside.
> > Lou
>
> Do a google search for Kennon. There are other vendors also - Bruce
> Custom Covers.
>
> The web sites describe the benefits of their particular covers.

I can recommend Bruce's. I've had a Bruce's cover for my Mooney for
about 5 years. At one point it shrunk a bit. Even after 3 years they
sent me a new one, no charge.

-Robert

[Peter R.]

On 4/4/2007 1:27:41 PM, Dave Butler wrote:

> I'd think it would be just like with canopy covers. It doesn't matter
> what material the cover is made from, if there is dirt on the plane,
> it's going to scratch when the cover moves.

Exactly the explanation I was given.

--
Peter

[Ron Natalie]

Dave Butler wrote:
>>> I was told by my aircraft's previous owner that covers can scratch
>>> the paint.
>>> Any truth to this?
>>
>> Depends on the cover.
>>
>> Some makers make a big deal about the non-scratching qualities of their
>> covers.
>
> I'd think it would be just like with canopy covers. It doesn't matter
> what material the cover is made from, if there is dirt on the plane,
> it's going to scratch when the cover moves.

I have a Kennon canopy cover. I never had any problem with the cover
itself scratching the paint. The strap however that retained it was
another story. It moves more than the cover does.

[Robert M. Gary]

On Apr 4, 11:29 am, "Peter R." > wrote:
> On 4/4/2007 1:27:41 PM, Dave Butler wrote:
>
> > I'd think it would be just like with canopy covers. It doesn't matter
> > what material the cover is made from, if there is dirt on the plane,
> > it's going to scratch when the cover moves.
>
> Exactly the explanation I was given.
>
> --
> Peter

Yep. I'm pretty anal about not allowing the inside of the cover to
touch anything other than the plane. You want to handle the cover
pretty carefully and make sure you fold it so the inside material is
not exposed. The material is soft but would probably hold some hard
silicon (i.e. dirt) pretty well.

-Robert

[tony roberts]

I Have Aero Covers. I bought them 4 years ago and am very happy with
them. I found them a great company to deal with.
Their website is - http://www.aerocovers.com/

There are lots of good manufacturers out there though.
A friend has Kennons which he really likes.

HTH

Tony
--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE

In article . com>,
"Lou" > wrote:

> Where would I get information on these?
> Not only who makes and sells them but also,
> what they are made of?
> I've been thinking of this for a while and although
> my plane isn't finished yet, I may have no choice but
> to keep it outside.
> Lou

[Lou]

Do any of these claim to protect against hail storms?
Lou

[Pete Brown]

If you are tied down outside where it snows or frosts and you expect to
fly, you will need them.

Certain models are held on with bungees with wire hooks on the ends. Bad
idea, they will scratch. Use plastic hooks.

In high winds, the covers must be removed or you may damage metal skin,
paint, and/or fabric. The mesh covers will not keep the plane as clean
as the solid fabric covers but are much less prone to wind damage,
especially covers with spoilers. I keep my 170 outside all winter in
Anchorage and prefer the mesh and have used both.

All wing covers can be a real mess if it snows and then you get a freeze
and thaw cycle. You may need to wait until spring or find a warm hangar
to thaw them out.

If its cold enough to worry about snow and frost, you will likely need
an engine cover and preheat.

http://www.alaskawingcovers.com/
http://www.kennoncovers.com/wings.html
http://www.alaskatent.com/products/covers/aircraft_cover_photos.htm


Pete
Anchorage
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/437324742_a216d7bb75.jpg






TF wrote:
> Just purchased my first plane and have it tied down. It has a canopy cover
> but no wing covers. Walking around the airport I only notice one other
> plane with wing covers. I would have thought wing covers would be good
> protection. During the wnter the rentals would have them to prevent frost
> but I didn't take notice of the others. Now that I have to worry about this
> what's the story on the pro/cons of wing covers ?
>
> Base in NJ.
>
> Thanks.
>
>


--

Peter D. Brown
http://home.gci.net/~pdb/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/akmtnsoaring/