Viking Cover for Outdoors

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vikingman

New member
Are there any Viking owners who use a full cover for their viking for outside instead of a hanger. My hangar owner just doubled the rent and it is getting to the point where I am considering going to a full cover instead. I have been considering going to a full cover from the engine, all of the wing span, and all the way back to cover the vertical and horzontal stablizer. The company I am looking to use is http://www.aircraftcovers.com. Does anyone have any experience with this. Obviously my largest concerns are keeping it dry and UV protected. Any advise? Here is what they say about the covers and the material used. Anyone who have any experience on this please drop me a note.

Here is what they say about their material....

"Bruce's Custom Covers developed Silver Laminate especially for aircraft protection. The outer material is a medium weight nylon treated for ultraviolet resistance and anti-static buildup. The inner lining is brushed nylon tricot knit. Silver Laminate is extremely reflective. Tests show that the cabin interior temperature can be reduced by as much as 25 degrees (25° F.). It is water, ice and snow repellent, yet it is breathable enough to allow moisture to escape from between the cover and the windshield surface. Silver Laminate contains no hydrocarbon compounds which can harm plexiglass windshields and acrylic finishes".

"Silver Laminate is a laminated nylon material made especially for us. The outer material is a shiny silver-grey Cordura nylon, treated for water repellency and UV protection. The inner lining is black, lightly brushed knit nylon. The two materials are permanently bonded together. Silver Laminate is water repellent, yet breathable. The soft lining prevents plexiglas scratches, and the Corduraâ„¢ nylon is strong, flexible and durable".
 
Bellanca AD 76-08-04 was caused by a Viking owner with a cover keeping the airplane outdoors. Wood airplane in the elements should have one type of cover-------A Hangar. Lynn N9818B :x
 
Lynn,

Could you explain to me a little better as to what you mean. I have kept my Viking inside a heated hanger for as long as I have had it. I am considering an all weather cover that does not allow moisture to be trapped between the cover and the plane. It breathes but is water proof. If you wouldn't mind please give me a little more detail. I am very aware of keeping the viking dry however an all weather tarp does not sound like a bad option versus $500.00/month in hanger rent.
 
I agree with lwford.......HANGAR! I'm a Viking owner and an A&P/IA. A cover MAY BE acceptable as a very temporary solution in a very dry climate. I don't think Mass. is a very dry climate. Bite the bullet and keep it in a hangar or you will be sorry.

Dave
 
Viking Man, if you can't keep her inside sell her. Any Bellanca outside is the kiss of death. I'm recovering my 14-19-2 and it supposedly has always been hangared---you would not believe what I have facing me in woodwork, the metal is fine but we are in for some spruce replacement. Mind you this crate has always been hangared. Lynn :mrgreen:
 
Lynn, and David,

Thank you for your insight. I will probably take your advise. I have purchased an all weather cover from Bruces Custom Covers. It covers the whole plane head to toe including the while wing span. I thin I may just use it for when I travel overnights with the plane.

Just curious to know... If a cover is waterproof and it will cover the plane including the wings, why is it a bad thing for the wood? I would think that with the wind constantly blowing over the plane that would be better that sitting in a hanger where the air is stale and possibly a lot of moisture.

Again thanks for the insight!
 
V man, you will find that your Bruce Cover is like mine, water repellant not waterproof. I have a Bruce cover I use at Osh and other shows, after a years time and a good rain, the plane gets damp, nothing beats a hangar. The wind is the worst enemy the plane has, once that cover starts flapping you will know just what I mean. Sorry to be so harsh but Ive been there and done that. LYNN :)
 
It is your investment do as you please. Just remember you are not the only one that feels the Bellanca can be left outside. For the rest of use we know that there will be more bellanca parts except for spares when we need them. If a cover does not hold moisture then it will not keep out moisture. :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Randy is your hanger moisture free? Is your hanger climate controlled? When I post a serious question I would hope one would post a serious response. Not one that posts an antagonistic response.
 
Those responses may indeed seem grave. When my Cruisemaster was undergoing its first annual by Dan Torrey (a noted Bellanca expert) at Santa Paula, right after I purchased it, a Viking owner who kept his under cover in the manner you suggest flew it in for Dan's examination. Dan seemed quite annoyed after he saw that the wings needed their spars replaced. It may seem strange that someone was angry when presented with a great deal of business, but my sense was that he was offended by the owner's treatment of the airplane. Dan is a nice guy. Everyone who attends the west coast annual Bellanca fly-in knows this. But you have to understand that you've touched on a sore subject for some people. These comments are not personal, nor are they directed at you per se. Bellanca owners - much like many owners of aircraft they love - have an anthropomorphic regard for these airplanes. It would be like asking another parent if it would be a good idea to beat your child if he misbehaves. Some do, some don't, and there is no absolute right or wrong about it, but the topic will stir distinct and strong feelings.

Jonathan
 
It does not ran in my hanger . moisture is good to a point. But water dripping off the plane is not good . Like I said and Jonathan repeated you are not the first to try and will not be the last. I own a 46 Cruiseair that was left outside under cover and have sold the Firewall forword , Disasembled the wings and every so often I look at the top of my Hanger were the fusaloge hangs and wish the plane was not treated like that. My 47 was always hangered except for trips and for repairs on the wings from gear up landings the wings were in very good shape.

As most will tell you I don't mean to be gruff But sense this plane has been around sense the late 30's people have figured out what the plane can handle and what it can't. :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
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