Looking For An Aircraft Cover or Sunshields

[JohnD]

I'm hangering my airplane but I do several overnights at other airports so I am looking for an aircraft cabin cover or sunshields. I would like to hear some Pros and Cons on their differences plus which are the better ones out there. I'm looking at Bruce's and Kennon. Are there some other good companies I should consider? 

 

Pros and Cons on covers versus just using sunshields?

 

Price is important but so is quality.

 

I am concerned about the covers over time cutting into the paint from the vibrating and rubbing straps when the wind blows. Is that much of an issue? 

 

Thank you for your input. 

 

John DeFranco

[MB65E]

Just ordered some Kannon covers for a helicopter. I think you get a lot for what you get. 2 large windscreen pieces and 8 other covers for the windows on the helicopter. 425 was the cost I believe. I then asked the guy to quote me a price for the m20. 245 I believe. I think I can put the kannon covers in place faster than I could put a Bruce cover on. The kennons just block light and heat. Bruce makes really nice covers, but they are hard to store. Also, I believe there more expensive. If your just looking for light and heat protection I'd do the Kannons. The windscreen cover is a bit difficult to install on anything other than the vintage windscreen. The post is sorta in the way. ( vintage stock come in 2 panels)

I don't have either one right now, sectionals still work for me.

[N601RX]

Call Jim at planecovers. I paid a little extra for the zipper around the door and pad for front window. When it arrived there was a note with it that said to make I was happy with it and then send him a check.

http://www.planecover.com/low_wing_covers.htm

[garytex]

I have kept an airplane of one sort or another outside for about seven years now under covers.

I prefer a cover to the inteior sunshield because check the Plexiglas from UV

[garytex]

Jim at plane covers above is a great to deal with and be builds a very very good cover. He uses Sunbrella material which is so by far and away the best.

[M20F-1968]

I have several cover sets which I collected during the rebuild of my plane.  I need to sort out which ones I will keep but I am sure that I will be selling some of them. 

What model Mooney do you have and which covers are you looking for (just cabin or more than that).  You can reach me at johnabreda@yahoo.com

 

Thanks,

John Breda

[JohnD]

I have several cover sets which I collected during the rebuild of my plane.  I need to sort out which ones I will keep but I am sure that I will be selling some of them. 

What model Mooney do you have and which covers are you looking for (just cabin or more than that).  You can reach me at johnabreda@yahoo.com

 

Thanks,

John Breda

John,

 

I just bought a 2003 Mooney Ovation. 

 

JD

[Hank]

Go with plane covers. Search here, you'll find a picture I took with my plane cover parked beside an S with Bruce's. No comparison!

Three straps to click together, no snaps, nothing to add to the airframe. Even comes with a zippered bag that it lives in the 50 weeks or so that I'm not using it.

[carusoam]

Go to plane covers website...

See the nicest '94 O with a cover.

The picture was taken after a windstorm blew through that overturned a couple other planes nearby.

It is enjoyable to write this review...

Consider getting some upgrades as well...

- a zippered door. Always useful when you need to go back in after you cover it.

- soft materials for the underside or windshield.

- cowl plugs.

My C had one for a decade outdoors. The seams/sewing got update along the way, normal maintenance...

Best regards,

-a-

[Bravoman]

I often have wondered about cowl plugs. I have them for my m20M as they came with the plane. Haven't had need to use them as plane is always in hangar when not flying. Is it good to plug the cowl right after shutting down engine? Seems like it wouldn't because of cooling issues and potentially trapping moisture. Just curious.

Frank

[bonal]

I will put in a plug for M.A.C. Covers. When you call they send you a PDF for all your measument points for antenna temp probe etc. they have different levels of Sunbrella material you can use. They are very fast and I think the quality vs price is great. I spent over a year outside before getting into a hangar and where I live the exposure is severe and they hold up well. My Cessna 150 spent over 4 years outside. One thing of note even though you would think white is better for sun because it reflects light the darker materials last longer. This is based on experience and I think it's because the white is not as dense as the dyed fabric. I have checked out Bruce's and Kennons on other aircraft I have seen and I don't think they are as nice IMHO.

[JohnD]

I will put in a plug for M.A.C. Covers. When you call they send you a PDF for all your measument points for antenna temp probe etc. they have different levels of Sunbrella material you can use. They are very fast and I think the quality vs price is great. I spent over a year outside before getting into a hangar and where I live the exposure is severe and they hold up well. My Cessna 150 spent over 4 years outside. One thing of note even though you would think white is better for sun because it reflects light the darker materials last longer. This is based on experience and I think it's because the white is not as dense as the dyed fabric. I have checked out Bruce's and Kennons on other aircraft I have seen and I don't think they are as nice IMHO.

 

bonal,

 

I cannot find M.A.C. Covers. Do you have a website link for them? Thanks.

 

JD

[bonal]

Sorry I don't know how to do all that link stuff on an IPad. It's Macs Airplane Covers.com on the search and the site is Airplane-covers.com not aircraft covers

[Ragsf15e]

Bruce's cover came with my '68 F and it's very nice.  Soft felt-like material on the inside to protect the windshield and paint.  Durable canvas on the outside.  Came in a nice big bag that fits nicely in the hat rack for trips.  The two tiny snaps fit perfectly on the front and there's a strap that secures it under the belly just behind the wing.  It fits well and it'll hold up to a good wind.  

 

Highly recommended.

[Seth]

I had an exterior cover that came with my former 1967 M20F.  I used it constantly  There were also a set of reflective interior sunsheilds.  I found that I used the exterior cover most of the time.  I also found, and it may be due to the fact that I had original paint and did not wax much as I knew I'd be repainting soon, that the paint without question faded around where the cover was located.  Rubbing was not a problem, the old paint fading was.  It looked "dirty" and then I realized it was the paint being done.  I however soon got a hanger at a nearby airport and moved in there.  I pretty much didn't use the cover again as whenever I went on a trip after that I just stuck up the sunshields (easier to do quickly and they take up less space inside the aircraft). 

 

Both the sunshields and exterior cover help keep temps within about 5-10 degrees of ambient.  Without them, the cabin does indeed heat up.  Having them up also gives prying eyes less reason to break into your airplane when parked outside. 

 

I ended up upgrading my aircraft to my current M20J Missile 300 before painting the F.  It's been in a hanger the entire time I've owned it (except for overnight parking elsewhere).  I did buy sunshades for trips. 

 

Cowl Plugs:

 

I had them for my F and I purchased them for my Missile.  I think they are very important to keep visitors out of your engine compartment.   Also, even in my hanger, during the winter, when I preheat (plug in block heater), they are the last exterior piece I pull after taking the aircraft out of the hanger.  Less heat is lost during the heating process and then when I pull the plane out, the heat doesn't vanish as quickly.  When I arrive at a destination in cold weather, they are quickly put back in place so if it's a shorter stay, the engine cools down more slowly so it's easier to start up again.  If I'm going to be somewhere overnight, I know the cowl plugs won't blow away.  I also have a blanket for the hanger but I do not take it with me on the road.

 

If outside, I'd use the plugs.  if inside, I'd use the plugs.  So yes, get cowl plugs - again, a barrier to keep stuff out of your engine (nests, dust, pollen, etc . . .)

 

-Seth

[RobertGary1]

I've used Bruce's covers the entire time I've owned my plane. I'm outside full time. I had one shrink in 4 years and they sent me another one free of charge. No paint issues, the bottom is a soft material. 

 

-Robert