Parking mooney outside?

[John Victor]

Hi, it's been a longtime dream to have a Mooney-- I'm getting close to having my private checkride and can almost taste it. Unfortunately there are really no hangars available where I live in central Texas. I found someone who can rent me a covered awning, but I'm a bit nervous about putting a new-to-me plane outside. Is this a terrible idea or can I make it work? Should I also get a covering for it? Any tips that would help protect it? Thanks! John

[DCarlton]

I’ve always used a canopy / fuselage cover to cover the windscreen, windows and doors.  It provides sun protection for the avionics and upholstery and helps minimize any chance of water intrusion through the doors or windows.  Check out Bruce’s Custom covers to start.  I had my last cover custom made at a local shop out of Sunbrella.  You want to keep water out of the airplane.  A covered awning could be good.  However, I’ve always wondered what folks do in areas prone to bad thunderstorms or tornadoes.  Probably best to ask folks in your area as well as your insurance company.  

[Paul Thomas]

Florida has lot of thunderstorms and many airplanes tied outside. You are a lot more likely to find empty hangars if you have an airplane. Get your name on hangar lists, pass the check ride, and then shop for the right airplane. While you do that, do talk to people at the airport, you'll be surprised how helpful people will be not only with you pursuit of finding an airplane, but with so many other resources.

[Pinecone]

I wouldn't worry too much about it.  A lot of planes sit outside.  Even better if you can get a shade hangar.

Best, or course, is a hangar.  But even that won't protect you from a tornado or even very severe thunder storms.  You do the best you can do.

If you do a cover, make SURE it fits tight.  A cover, moving in the wind can destroy a paint job of windows.

[Jackk]

Get to know the locals, also keep an eye out for hangars that don’t have airplanes in them.  I’ve gotten hangars from word of mouth and having car collections etc kicked out of hangars before due to fed grant assurance agreements 

[Hank]

29 minutes ago, Jackk said:

Get to know the locals, also keep an eye out for hangars that don’t have airplanes in them.  I’ve gotten hangars from word of mouth and having car collections etc kicked out of hangars before due to fed grant assurance agreements 

Its also often possible to sublet a parking spot in a larger hangar. My first Mooney shared a 60 x 50 box hangar with a Bonanza, a bass boat and a Harley, with room for workbench, shelving and a side-by-side refrigerator. Right now, I'm parking with a small experimental plane and several wooden boats (mostly inboards). Ask around, you never know what you can find . . . .

[PeterRus]

I've had mine for about 18 months sitting outside. Bruce's covers for the whole plane, including the prop -- packing/unpacking takes about 15 min. Haven't seen any issues, and the covers do a good job keeping water aways from the plane.

[Fritz1]

I use a Bruce's canopy cover for travel, quite happy with it, as stated before, ask around and you will find a hangar, put your name on a couple of wait lists, first hangar may only be for a couple of months until you find something permanent, new to you airplane will need a fair amount of work, having a hangar helps greatly to get work done. Enjoy the journey!

[Pinecone]

Guy I bought my plane from bought an entire set of Bruce's covers, even wings and tail.  It was going to be at least 2 years for a hangar.  

A couple of months later, he was in a hangar.

[Flash]

I have owned my J model for 26 years without a hangar. It has been tied down in Mississippi, Georgia, DC, Connecticut, and California. It has also been tied down when flown to all 49 non-Hawaiian states and numerous countries. It has had a cover in all of those places.

There have been days when I wished the plane had spent the night in a hangar so that I didn't have to preheat it or brush the snow off of the wings and elevator or get hot or sunburned while changing the oil. There have been years when I have been glad about all of the money I saved from not paying hangar rent.

If a hangar will make you happy, by all means get one.

My plane flies. Your plane will fly. Your hangar won't fly. The flying is the fun part.

Edited July 17 by Flash
added omitted word

[Jim Peace]

Bird poop is a real pain in the ass. My plane is in a hangar about 1/2 the year. I notice that when it’s outside with all the covers I fly less. Just to much of a hassle to uncover and then cover again. 

[Bolter]

I would not let the hangar be the deal breaker to prevent getting your Mooney.  I was 8 years in SoCal without a hangar, using a fuselage-only cover from Bruces.  The sun created a line where you could tell what was exposed and what was covered...over an 8 year period.  Rain was less than in Texas (my home state) but plenty of hard rain happened, and the cover and good maintenance prevented any leaks, ever.  Of course, having a hangar is better, but not a necessity.

[M20F]

I have had planes outside for years.  The hangar makes it easier to work on and store stuff.  
 
For what my hangar costs I could get the plane repainted every five years.   

[SoccerCA]

I can also recommend Mac's Airplane Covers.

[Jim Peace]

someone needs to make this for an airplane....

[DCarlton]

On 7/22/2025 at 1:20 PM, SoccerCA said:

I can also recommend Mac's Airplane Covers.

Appreciate the Mac's referral.  I just ordered a new Sunbrella cover.  :>

[TaildraggerPilot]

Definitely get a cover for the tailcone area. 

[DCarlton]

1 hour ago, TaildraggerPilot said:

Definitely get a cover for the tailcone area. 

I've considered that too but I've wondered if it would trap moisture and possibly promote corrosion; thinking it might be better to let it breathe and dry out.  I've never seen the design of the tail cover.  I have a condensation often in the mornings but not so much rain as the East Coast though.  My solution was to keep it lubricated.  Curious what others might think.