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#1
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Aircraft Stored On A Pad
Hello Folks,
I'm beginning to look into purchasing an aircraft and one (of many) concerns I have is aircraft storage. In my area the only storage space available is on a pad. Leaving a plane out in the Michigan (Detroit) weather does not seem like the best idea. So, I have two questions... Is there alternative storage I've not considered? Can the airframe, engine and avionics survive in the elements, or am I shortening the usable life of the aircraft? Your comments and / or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks GJ |
#2
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I bought an Arrow a while back that had been stored outdoors up in
Ottawa for 5 years. The owner had purchased a full set of Kennon covers for cabin, cowl, wings, and elevators as well as insulated prop and cowl covers for winter preheats. That left everything covered except for the back 8 feet of the fuselage. That last 8 feet shows noticeably more dulling of the paint, and the covered areas still look great, so the covers definitely help. There is a little chafing of the windows in the wind, but not bad. I now use a hangar, but it leaks as many do, and the plane gets very dusty, so I think outdoor storage isn't so horrible. The main problem is getting preheat in the winter out on a pad if there's no power outlet anywhere nearby. |
#3
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Sport wrote:
In my area the only storage space available is on a pad. Tell me about it! Leaving a plane out in the Michigan (Detroit) weather does not seem like the best idea. Tell me about it! Is there alternative storage I've not considered? Nope. Well, one - rent a spot in a gang hangar. Very expensive for what you get. More below. Can the airframe, engine and avionics survive in the elements, or am I shortening the usable life of the aircraft? Well, think about this. In the plane's optimum state (during flight), it's exposed to the elements at an extreme level. It's built to take some abuse. The plane's not going to crumble to dust and blow away if you keep it outside for a year, or two, or five, or ten. Many pilots never park anywhere but a tie-down pad. There are some excellent airplane covers that will protect it from ice and hail, too. The biggest advantage to having it stored in a hangar is that you don't have to clean the snow and ice off it when you fly it in the winter, and you've got a place to plug in the engine pre-heater (if equipped). Is that going to be a big consideration for you? I went through this recently, in the same area. I decided to park outside at first, and get on the waiting list for a hangar by my house (5-8 years at Oakland Troy (VLL)). I also got on the other nearby waiting lists. (I think so, anyways. Detroit City seemed completely confused about my request for a hangar. I don't think they realized that the airport was still open. They said they'd put me on the list, but I think whoever was on the phone was just trying to get rid of me and get back to his nap or TV show. I didn't pursue it.) I also had a couple of gang hangar options that I considered. One was way overpriced. The other was almost reasonable, except that the line crew was never there. I mean, NEVER there. I never saw anyone who worked there, ever! I figured that if availability was an issue, that wouldn't work well for me. I do most of my flying off-hours anyways, and they had a call-out fee. What side of town are you from, anyways? |
#4
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I now use a hangar, but it leaks as many do, and the plane gets very
dusty, so I think outdoor storage isn't so horrible. The main problem is getting preheat in the winter out on a pad if there's no power outlet anywhere nearby. Get a tall ladder, and a couple of cans of "Great Stuff" -- the expandable aerosol foam insulation. Inject it in every crack and seam in your hangar. (Don't let it get on you ANYWHERE, as it does not come off). You will soon have a dust-free, water-tight, no-birds hangar... It just takes a little effort. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#5
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Jay Honeck wrote:
You will soon have a dust-free, water-tight, no-birds hangar... It just takes a little effort. Wow, guess you have to live in a "dust-free, water-tight, no-birds" place first... Hanger door is pretty tough thing to seal to this extent... |
#6
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Sport wrote:
Hello Folks, I'm beginning to look into purchasing an aircraft and one (of many) concerns I have is aircraft storage. In my area the only storage space available is on a pad. Leaving a plane out in the Michigan (Detroit) weather does not seem like the best idea. So, I have two questions... Is there alternative storage I've not considered? Can the airframe, engine and avionics survive in the elements, or am I shortening the usable life of the aircraft? Your comments and / or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks GJ I don't have any insight, but this does remind me of an ad I recently saw on controller.com for a plane that was advertised as "always hangared." The ad included pictures of the plane -- tied down on a pad |
#7
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You will soon have a dust-free, water-tight, no-birds hangar... It just
takes a little effort. Wow, guess you have to live in a "dust-free, water-tight, no-birds" place first... Hanger door is pretty tough thing to seal to this extent... Our door is pretty tight. I also make sure I close your hangar door while we're out flying. It's amazing how many guys don't close their doors -- and that's when the wild-life moves in... -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
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