Weather Cover/Outdoor Cover

[Untainted123]

I am wondering what people are doing for airplane covers? I tried searching the forums, but I get tons of results for airplane covering (as in Oratex, Polyfiber etc.) I am asking about outdoor weather covers. I emailed airplane-covers.com, but they said they don't have a pattern for the Bearhawk. I noticed in some of Nev's videos, he has a cover on when camping. Is there a pattern that will just work (maybe a Cessna 180 cover will work ok?) or are people sewing their own? Recommendations?
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[AKKen07]

Alaska wing covers is near me and did a great custom job for my plane. Really like the guy and his crew. He is the premier wing cover guy in this area. I got wing covers, insulated engine cover, windshield cover, horizontal tail covers, and a wing wind spoiler thing for hunting. All excellent.

[Untainted123]

This is the response I receive from Kurt at Alaska Wing Covers:

We do have patterns for the BearHawk but not for the type of cover you're looking for.
Our covers are designed specifically for preventing ice and snow contamination. If I'm not mistaken, the covers depicted in the photo are made by Bruce's in CA. They do a nice job for sun and UV protection.
I appreciate you reaching out and if we can help you in the future, we'd be happy to do so.

We welcome questions, our shop number is 907-357-9464.
I like the Bear Hawks, we have several around here that we've done. I fly an M4-210, a very similar aircraft.
Thanks!

Kurt MacKenzie
Alaska Wing Covers

So sounds like they are great to work with, and if you fly in more rugged conditions, they would be your goto.

[AKKen07]

I’ll call him - he might be mistaken.

[AKKen07]

Spoke with Kurt - he doesn’t have one exactly like the picture you sent, his is a little different. I’ll try to get some pictures of mine up in the next few days for you to compare.

[noema]

I've ordered covers from Bruce and am currently in the process of getting them perfectly fitted. They send test covers and contacted BA for additional info. The process is quite slow but after they got the details figured I would assume they can get them out within two weeks. Will report more once I've received them. So far so good. It seems they are aiming for quality.

https://www.aircraftcovers.com/

[Nev]

Mine is from Bruce's covers in USA, they had the template already. I'm very happy with it. Simon's red BH parked beside mine in the photo has a cover made in NZ.

[Untainted123]

Do you feel comfortable with a downpour not getting into the interior with your Bruce cover? I have sealed my skylight and most other places, but I wouldn't want to be at Oshkosh for a week of rain and discover the cover was letting a drip come onto the dash or interior.

Also, is the one you have this one: BH4-800 TRAVEL COVER, Light Weight Canopy Cover ?

[Nev]

Yep it's pretty good. I've left it outside a couple of times when I didn't make it home, it sat in the weather for a few days each time, no water inside at all.

[Nev]

Yes mine is the lite weight travel cover.

[rodsmith]

I have Bruce's canopy and insulated engine covers and am very happy with them. As Nev said they have the pattern for the canopy cover, they had to custom make my engine cover because of my prop extension.

[AKKen07]

Here are pics I already have of the windshield/skylight, engine cover, and spoilers.

[Untainted123]

That looks like a nice lightweight cover, but I would have expected it to be wider on top to go out past the wing root covers, or at least cover all of the skylight. It also seems to leave open your NACA duct (I have a NACA duct in the same or similar place).

[AKKen07]

I could see in certain conditions wanting the coverage you’re talking about. Fortunately those problems haven’t manifested for me (yet?). Looks like Bruce’s do go wider which could be nice. So far the only place my plane leaks water is from the center of the front edge of the skylight which my covers prevent.

[kuss]

Another vote for Bruces.

My part number was BH2-815: TRAVEL COVER, Light Weight WINDSHIELD SKYLIGHT COVER. This part was listed for the BH Patrol on their website. Good back and forth via email prior to charging me... making sure I had considered all the options. Final cost was about $250 shipped.

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[Untainted123]

If Nev has the same cover but the 4-place version, I would have expected yours to completely cover the windows and wrap all the way around. I guess I can check with Bruces and figure out exactly what the differences are. The main thing I want covered is the windshield and skylight, and for it to overlap any openings that could get rain into them.

[Bcone1381]

I'd like to offer a data point on water intrusion from our windows. I have no cover and my cabin does not leak water.

Seal up the seams where water might get in with 3M strip caulk. PN 08578. It is black and something like play-dough, but stickier than that. It never hardens. The skylight can easily be sealed with the strip caulk. I put down some masking tape on the boundary where I want it to reside. I roll a small amount into a 6-8" long cylinder with my hands so its about 1/4" diameter, then press it into the seam and finish off the "rope" with a pop-sickle stick. Gasoline will dissolve it but we keep gas away from the skylight anyway. I sealed all my windows with it.

I'm not saying Strip Caulk will negate the need for a cover. It might contaminate a cover I suppose. But I have no cover and my cabin does not leak water. Here are are series of photos I used to seal up my side windows with the strip caulk.
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