How does your Bruce's cover fit?

[FloridaMan]

UPDATE: The folks at Bruce's did everything possible to make me happy with the service that I've received. I would highly recommend Bruce's to anyone interested in an aircraft cover for their Mooney or any other aircraft. As is the case with the Internet, once you say something, it's there forever and any comment that creates question in the quality or service deserves a follow-up once things are resolved. So that there's no question about it, I am exceptionally happy with the cover and the service that I've received from Bruce's custom covers; I would buy from them again.

Also, the initial issue that I reported was my own fault in how I routed the rear strap for the cover. I initially attached it from the right side and tossed it under the plane. The strap was routed ahead of the rear step, where the aircraft body was larger.

My aircraft cover just came in for my '67 F with the LoPresti cowling. I've been in discussion with Bruce's Custom Covers over it. Since I have 201 glass all around and the LoPresti cowling, I ordered the cover they had listed for the "201, 205, 231, 252 and MSE" and had my tail number included on the cover. Shortly after ordering it, they called me and said they changed it to an "early M20 with sloped glass" pattern. I didn't understand how that was different from a J, questioned it, but they were adamant that it would fit better. The belly strap would not go completely across the bottom and the patch for the baggage door is against the rear window instead of the handle on the door.

[HopePilot]

That doesn't look correct to me. Mine goes all the way down to my wing, but I have the extended cover.

[kortopates]

Me either, nor do I understand the m20 Sloped vs J. You'd think a standard mid-body sized and fit to your antenna would work. But the key things are covering the windows entirely plus the baggage door. Can't tell how well your baggage door is covered in the photo, but the strap at the rear should be at more of an angle behind the step to get it to fit tight - when you have the proper length to do so. But that should be a big clue to them something is wrong.

What's up with your missing N number?

[29-0363]

The appearance of the cover looks really odd, as if there is no tension on the straps and no stretch in the bottom edge from front to back. What are you trying to show in the close up picture of the baggage door?

I've bought two covers from Bruce's for my current and previous Ovations. The first time was in 2000 and was a perfect fit, and it's lasted 12 years without showing any signs of deterioration. The second one was in 2006 when they messed up on an antenna location but after brief correspondence it was resolved to my complete satisfaction.

After a question earlier this year about cleaning and waterproofing, they sent me what I needed free of charge (to Australia) including postage.

If the good service I've experienced is their benchmark, I would try once more to resolve any issues. Maybe you need to send the cover back with some additional measurements and ask them to re-make it.

[moodychief]

Send them a picture and ask if that is how their custom fit covers are supposed to look! I had one made for my C model and it fits like a glove.

[FloridaMan]

The missing digits in the N number are 2914. I didn't want it in the pictures where I hosted the photo.

The lack of tension is that I had to tie the rear strap to the other side of the cover and wasn't able to get much tension out of it since the belly strap was too short. In the close-up picture of the baggage door, I'm showing where they placed the wear patch for the baggage door handle far forward of the baggage door.

The baggage door is covered, but the strap seemed to want to go in front of the step or be tensioned against it. My Mooney has the power-retractable step and I'd rather not have a cover that puts any load on it, nor am I sure that it should put a load on those fairings that extend from the trailing edge of the wing.

Edit to add: I sent them the same photos here, this is the response that I received:

"We've been having a few discussions here on this end regarding the pattern selected for your aircraft, and because of the long-slope windshield modification we're pretty sure we selected the correct one. We acknowledge the patch looks like it is in the wrong position, this is likely because we based the pattern off of an older model with a slightly different positioning, and just didn't catch the new location.

Besides playing with the positioning of the cover, and constantly adjusting the straps until you have a good fit, its very important that the cover is pulled tight in all directions (the cover can handle the pulling). This is especially important in windy conditions.

If the cover still is not fitting correctly, then if you let us know the length of the rear belly strap, and how much you think you will need to have it buckle correctly, we can send you a replacement strap free of charge.

Please let me know!"

I'm unable to get the belly strap to attach across the underside with the front snaps completely disconnected.

[moodychief]

I just noticed mine is a full cabin cover. Go to flightaware and type my N number to see the picture someone snapped on one of my trips.

[carusoam]

Mine fits perfectly and withstood near hurricane force winds that was strong enough to turn other airplanes upside down.

I sent a photo to the manufacturer and it is currently on their web page of an example of how to properly cover a Mooney.

Tight and smooth from cowling to back behind the baggage door. The same company built the cover for my M20C, done the same way, tight and smooth. Both came with a zipped door as well.

Of course, mine was built by the other guys, not Bruce...

Bruce has a good reputation, especially on the Left coast. Follow his guidance, you will probably end up satisfied.

Best regards,

-a-

[Ron McBride]

It does not look right to me, on my F with the stock windshield my front strap goes under the gear doors and the back strap is long enough. The front strap has a snap on each side and then a short strap to connect the 2. The rear strap has a bungee cord built into the cover and pulls tight there. It has been a year, since I put mine on though. Could you have reversed the straps?

Fly Safe

Ron

[FloridaMan]

Impossible for the straps to be reversed. The fronts have snaps and little triangles at the tips. The rear has the standard clips. There's no way to reverse the straps.

[N9453V]

Antares, I believe you ordered the correct one, but they put the baggage door patch in the wrong place and maybe the incorrect rear strap. I have almost the same cover (without the sloped windshield mod) for my G model. A picture of how it fits is below. I've had it for 2 years and no issues with it.

-Andrew

[Hank]

You guys are making me appreciate my non-Bruce cover even more . . .

but I can't attach a picture because it says "You can upload up to Uploading is not allowed of files (Max. single file size: 30MB)"

So my 850K picture of the snug-fitting cover with three straps [two front, one rear] will remain unshared. I've posted it in other threads discussing covers, so try the Search button. I love it!

[yvesg]

Mine fits perfectly and withstood near hurricane force winds that was strong enough to turn other airplanes upside down.

I sent a photo to the manufacturer and it is currently on their web page of an example of how to properly cover a Mooney.

Tight and smooth from cowling to back behind the baggage door. The same company built the cover for my M20C, done the same way, tight and smooth. Both came with a zipped door as well.

Of course, mine was built by the other guys, not Bruce...

Bruce has a good reputation, especially on the Left coast. Follow his guidance, you will probably end up satisfied.

Best regards,

-a-

Who are the other guys?

My cover is near the end of its life and will need to order another one soon. I really like it and would like it to be the same. The manufacturer patch is gone. It has two straps up front and one in the back. I believe the previous owners got it from them.

Yves

C-FQKM

[Hank]

Mine says "Ground Tech" in Salisbury, MD, 410-749-6693, but there's an ad in the MAPA LOG with a different name and the same cover in the photo.

Still can't attach a photo using the new Flash 9 system because "you have exceeded your allotted disk space for attachments" without having made any attachments . . .

[Hank]

Here's a recent discussion of covers, including Bruce's, and it has a picture of mine, manufacturer names, etc.:

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.php?/topic/5605-you-will-need-to-install-small-unobtrusive-fasten/

happy shopping!

[carusoam]

Ground Tech are the east coast guys... My plane is on their website as an example. The wet ground in the picture is left over hurricane remains....

I believe the guy's name is Jim Cancil. How's that for memory!

-a-