Parking outside at Homebase ?

[PapaPapa]

Hi there,

 

Say i finally buy my Mooney one day.

Say there's no hangar spot in my home base (8min from home) and i could not find one at less than 60 to 90min drive

I know for some (most ?) of you, an outside parking is a deal breaker when buying, but options are limited...

What precautions, equipments, etc... should i be using to keep the bird safe and in good condition, knowing it can be pretty moist out here in the autumn/winter ?

for ex today :

METAR: ELLX 141020Z VRB03KT 0050 R24/0150N FG OVC000 01/01 Q1026 NOSIG
long-TAF: ELLX 140500Z 1406/1512 14003KT 0100 FG FZFG VV/// BECMG 1409/1411 4000 BR BKN005 BECMG 1415/1417 7000 NSC BECMG 1500/1502 2000 BR BECMG 1502/1504 0100 FZFG VV/// BECMG 1508/1510 4000 BR SCT003

 

Thanks in advance for the insights :-)

Pierre

[1964-M20E]

First get a cabin cover and good treatments with corrosion X.

Second if the plane is 10 minutes from your home you will most likely will fly more and get a better feel for more use out of your aircraft.  Using it more will translate into lower maintenance cost since some of the problems we encounter are from the plane not being used. 

I have my plane tied down about 40 minutes away and it is outside and there have been numerous times coming home from work and it's beautiful day to go flying and I do not because I do not want to travel to the other airport.  There is one private airport closer but they are $100 a month more expensive than where I am currently and that is outside as well.  I'm still debating this.

The time and distance you travel will add to your overall hourly cost to fly and when you want to do any type of work on your plane it is much easier when you are close. 

Finally if the hanger cost you several hundred dollars more per month every 4 to 5 years you can get an entirely new interior and paint.

[Jeff_S]

Pierre, there is much unwarranted fear about keeping a plane outside. It's really not that big a deal, if it's your best option. I agree that a plane that is 10 minutes away will give you much more utility and happiness than one that is 60 minutes away.  The key is to make sure the plane you get is already well protected from corrosion, get a good cabin cover and cowl plugs/pitot-cover, do the Corrosion X treatment if you are in a particularly wet environment, and enjoy the plane. Remember, you're getting free baths from Mother Nature!

[rbridges]

I agree with the above.  Keeping it washed/waxed will help maintain the finish.  Most importantly, make sure you use it.

[Mooneymite]

Parking outside is a part of a plane's "natural habitat".  Even those of us lucky enough to own hangars park outside when we're on the road.  Hangaring/not-hangaring is not an absolute.

The real question is "HOW LONG" will the aircraft be outside?  Will the tie-down situation be permanent into the foreseeable future, or is it just until a hangar can be found?

Anyone who has shopped for aircraft knows that the difference between long-term hangared aircraft and not-hangared aircraft can be quite dramatic.

[PapaPapa]

i agree that it's part of a plane's natural habitat...

But seing the pictures of the 65k M20J with rusted pitot tube and  gear had me worried.

As to how long it would last.... i'd say as long as i live here i suppose.

 

I asked around in the club about he possibilities and how the owners were doing to find hangar spots. It seems it's a pretty hush-hush taboo subject (i dont see why but well...) and was said that some epople have been waiting for hangar spots for the last 5 years...

 

As for the costs... i know that outside parking is 1,25 € per ton and per period of twenty-four hours (so would amount to approx. 60EUR/month counting 1.5 ton for M20J).

I don't know the price of a hangar spot but i don't expect below 100-150€/month

[201er]

Tie Down Ropes - $10

Quarterly Waxing - $300

Airplane Cover - $500

Yearly Tie Downs - $1200

Having your plane nearby and enough time/money left to actually fly it - PRICELESS

[MooneyMitch]

Covering your airplane while it's parked outside?  You may want to query our very own HopePilot on this MooneySpace forum.  He's got his Mooney completely covered!!  And the system is awesome, I might add!

[Cris]

Another possibility is to use wing/tail covers as well as the cabin cover although some companies have an extended cabin cover that covers much of the fuselage. I've even seen A/C completely covered & kept outside. The rust on the pitot tube & gear did not come with one year of use but rather over many years of abuse! Those are items that should be touched up at the annual or along the way and are easily done by the owner. Even chrome pitot tubes benefit from a polishing & wax. 

[HopePilot]

No, I don't have a cover problem...

 

[PapaPapa]

thanks for sharing all the info.

i'll continue digging about a hangar spot to have all my basis covered before making the jump, but at least i know there viable alternatives if parked outise to keep the plane in shape

Hope Pilot, for my information, how long does it take you to "dress"/"undress" your M20 ?