Fabric & tube plane under covers, wise thing to do?

Hi group,

The winter is nearly over so it is time to look for a plane.
At the moment I'm looking at a PA22 but I do not have hangar space
during the summer.
As with my last plane I have to tie it down during the summer on a
field close to my home and move it for the winter to a hangar on a
field absolutely not close to home.

Is it wise to keep a PA 22 under wing and fuselage covers during the
summer?

Thanks,
Kees.

I'm assuming that your acraft is covered with a polyester based fabric
instead of silica glass. Since polyester or cotton is very sensitive to UV
radiation, the cover would have to be laced with aluminum or carbon black in
order to protect it completely. If the cover lays directly on the upper
surfaces of the aircraft and moisture is caught between the two, it will
eventually permeate the topcoat and cause lost of adhesion to the polyester
fabric. Blisters may then form in the top coating medium. So standoffs are
recommended. Because of the sensitivity of polyester fabric to UV, even
well lit hangers will deteriorate the fabric just from the lights. that is
why an anual/100 hour punch test is required on all certified acraft with
organic or hydrocarbon based fabrics. Hope this is helps. Rob
wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi group,

The winter is nearly over so it is time to look for a plane.
At the moment I'm looking at a PA22 but I do not have hangar space
during the summer.
As with my last plane I have to tie it down during the summer on a
field close to my home and move it for the winter to a hangar on a
field absolutely not close to home.

Is it wise to keep a PA 22 under wing and fuselage covers during the
summer?

Thanks,
Kees.

Any covers on an airplane parked outside will get dust
blown under them, and the fabric moving in the wind will grind that
grit into the finish. Lots of windshields have been ruined that way.
Covers have to be pretty snug.

Dan