Fabric or metal wings?

Ok, so my wife and I are interesting in buying our first airplane.
Like lots of first-time owners, we're looking for low cost of
ownership. Our basic needs a

- radios and transponder (we're under the DC ADIZ)
- carry us two, our 35 lb dog, or an occasional passenger.
- ability to make 2-3 hour trips
- can be stored at a tie down as hangar costs are too high.

I want to go for an IFR one day, so an IFR certification is a very
good thing too if possible.

We're debating on fabric covered wings or metal. I've been told that
fabric wings shouldn't be outside. Then I've been told that with the
new synthetic fabrics and paints, that a tie down is perfectly fine.
If a fabic wing would work outside, I'd prefer that as I also
understand that the cost of ownership is lower.

Anyone have knowledge or experience here that would help?

-Malcolm Teas
JYO

"Malcolm Teas" wrote in message
om...
Ok, so my wife and I are interesting in buying our first airplane.
Like lots of first-time owners, we're looking for low cost of
ownership. Our basic needs a

- radios and transponder (we're under the DC ADIZ)
- carry us two, our 35 lb dog, or an occasional passenger.
- ability to make 2-3 hour trips
- can be stored at a tie down as hangar costs are too high.

I want to go for an IFR one day, so an IFR certification is a very
good thing too if possible.

We're debating on fabric covered wings or metal. I've been told that
fabric wings shouldn't be outside. Then I've been told that with the
new synthetic fabrics and paints, that a tie down is perfectly fine.
If a fabic wing would work outside, I'd prefer that as I also
understand that the cost of ownership is lower.

Anyone have knowledge or experience here that would help?

-Malcolm Teas
JYO

Why would the cost of owning a fabric covered airplane be lower? You have
all the costs of a metal wing aircraft PLUS the cost of maintaining the
fabric.

Mike
MU-2

Malcolm Teas wrote:

We're debating on fabric covered wings or metal. I've been told that
fabric wings shouldn't be outside. Then I've been told that with the
new synthetic fabrics and paints, that a tie down is perfectly fine.

New fabrics such as Ceconite last pretty much forever if properly applied and
painted. Tiedown is fine. The old natural fiber fabrics will last as little as
two years if left outside. Polyfiber and Ceconite are two different methods of
covering an aircraft with a synthetic fabric. Either method works well and the
fabric used is the same. Those are the two most common modern covering methods.

If a fabic wing would work outside, I'd prefer that as I also
understand that the cost of ownership is lower.

While it might be cheaper to buy a particular fabric aircraft, I doubt that the
maintenance costs of one would be less than that of an identical metal aircraft.
A Cessna 170A will cost you the same as a 170B in care and feeding.

George Patterson
Treason is ne'er successful, Sir; what then be the reason? Why, if treason
be successful, Sir, then none dare call it treason.

Malcolm Teas wrote:
: Ok, so my wife and I are interesting in buying our first airplane.
: Like lots of first-time owners, we're looking for low cost of
: ownership. Our basic needs a

: - radios and transponder (we're under the DC ADIZ)
: - carry us two, our 35 lb dog, or an occasional passenger.
: - ability to make 2-3 hour trips
: - can be stored at a tie down as hangar costs are too high.

: I want to go for an IFR one day, so an IFR certification is a very
: good thing too if possible.

: We're debating on fabric covered wings or metal. I've been told that
: fabric wings shouldn't be outside. Then I've been told that with the
: new synthetic fabrics and paints, that a tie down is perfectly fine.
: If a fabic wing would work outside, I'd prefer that as I also
: understand that the cost of ownership is lower.

: Anyone have knowledge or experience here that would help?

: -Malcolm Teas
: JYO

Can't say about the fabric/metal wings except that for the most part, the
fabric planes are older and thus often cheaper to buy initially. If you know how to
repair fabric or have connections with an A&P that does, it might be fairly
inexpensive to maintain. Somethink like a Tri-Pacer would fit that bill.

That said, I'd recommend a Cherokee 140. Not sexy, not fast, but with a
moderate loading like that (2 x 180 + 100), you're still 100 lbs under gross with 5-6
hours of fuel on board. They're IFR-able too.

Just a thought.

-Cory


--
************************************************** ***********************
* The prime directive of Linux: *
* - learn what you don't know, *
* - teach what you do. *
* (Just my 20 USm$) *
************************************************** ***********************

wrote:
Malcolm Teas wrote:
: - radios and transponder (we're under the DC ADIZ)
: - carry us two, our 35 lb dog, or an occasional passenger.
: - ability to make 2-3 hour trips
: - can be stored at a tie down as hangar costs are too high.
That said, I'd recommend a Cherokee 140. Not sexy, not fast, but with a
moderate loading like that (2 x 180 + 100), you're still 100 lbs under gross with 5-6
hours of fuel on board. They're IFR-able too.

Exactly. The "me/my wife/our 35 lb dog" is the exact configuration I fly
my 140 with. It's economical and it can be left outside without too many
problems (I recommend a canvas cabin cover). I was under the DC ADIZ, and
all the wonderful free airspace that existed before the DC ADIZ for 15
years, before moving my plane to a hangar in Ocean City 2 years ago.

--- Jay


--

__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.oceancityairport.com
http://www.oc-adolfos.com

What particular models are you considering?



"Malcolm Teas" wrote in message
om...
Ok, so my wife and I are interesting in buying our first airplane.
Like lots of first-time owners, we're looking for low cost of
ownership. Our basic needs a

- radios and transponder (we're under the DC ADIZ)
- carry us two, our 35 lb dog, or an occasional passenger.
- ability to make 2-3 hour trips
- can be stored at a tie down as hangar costs are too high.

I want to go for an IFR one day, so an IFR certification is a very
good thing too if possible.

We're debating on fabric covered wings or metal. I've been told that
fabric wings shouldn't be outside. Then I've been told that with the
new synthetic fabrics and paints, that a tie down is perfectly fine.
If a fabic wing would work outside, I'd prefer that as I also
understand that the cost of ownership is lower.

Anyone have knowledge or experience here that would help?

-Malcolm Teas
JYO

It really doesn't matter.
Most if not all of the metal aircraft that were built through the 70's
were not zinc chromate, so inter granular and other types of corrosion
are still problems with any aircraft, be it stored in a hangar or at an
outdoor tie down.
With fabric, you will want to recover it every 10-20 years just so you
can perform a thorough fuselage, wing and impinge inspection.
Much easier to inspect and repair than on an all metal aircraft.
Many of the older rag and tubes have gotten powder coated or epoxy
painted frames if they have been rebuilt in the last 10-20 years.
It all comes down to personal choice. What do you want to do with the airplane?

It really doesn't matter.
Most if not all of the metal aircraft that were built through the 70's
were not zinc chromate, so inter granular and other types of corrosion
are still problems with any aircraft, be it stored in a hangar or at an
outdoor tie down.
With fabric, you will want to recover it every 10-20 years just so you
can perform a thorough fuselage, wing and empenage inspection.
Much easier to inspect and repair than on an all metal aircraft.
Many of the older rag and tubes have gotten powder coated or epoxy
painted frames if they have been rebuilt in the last 10-20 years.
It all comes down to personal choice. What do you want to do with the airplane?

My first airplane was a Cherokee 140, and I'll agree it would seem to be
just about the ideal airplane to match your needs/wants. Economical to buy
and operate, great flying qualities, an excellent instrument trainer,
bulletproof Lycoming 0-320 engine, and a capable (if not terribly fast)
touring airplane. Ours lived outside in he damp Pacific Northwest for many
years with no corrosion problems. (The original paint did get pretty
scruffy, though.)

--
-Elliott Drucker

wrote in message news:
That said, I'd recommend a Cherokee 140. Not sexy, not fast, but with a
moderate loading like that (2 x 180 + 100), you're still 100 lbs under gross with 5-6
hours of fuel on board. They're IFR-able too.

The Cherokee 140 school of thought seems strong! We're looking at a
couple of them and considering it. Any particular things to watch out
for on this plane?

-Malcolm