Some of my friends who flew in good old times are either concerned about their fabric wings, or already having issues (in a Taylorcraft). The "folk wisdom" is that fabric-wing airplanes are not suitable for parking in a tiedown and a hangar is a must. I don't know if modern fabrics made this notion obsolete, but I was going to give a wide bearth to Cub for that reason, especially if a new Luscombe is essentially every bit as good, and costs only 85k new.
-- Pete
My LSA decision
Moderator: drseti
Pete, you're concern is legit. However, the newer fabrics are much longer lasting than the old ones. That said, I think every airplane deserves a hanger. The sun is hard on paint whether it's on metal or fabric or the new materials. Also, the wind is hard on 'em, the pulling on the tie downs, etc., not to mention the infrequent hailstorms. You do have to eventually replace the fabric, even the new types. But it's all a trade off ... if off airport landings are going to be made then the repairs (which are inevitable on unimproved strips) are so much simpler and cheaper than metal or the new carbon fibers and such.
Maybe there's good reason why Alaska has so many fabric n tube planes and the asphalt-laden-Lower-48 has so many metal and synthetic material planes.
Nice T-hangers where I live go for $230 / month but I know that's cheap compared to more crowded urban cities, so $$ becomes a bigger concern.
BTW, I really like the Luscombe. I've always hesitated, however, due to a folk lore reputation for ground looping and the narrow 39" cockpit. But what a good price! If you get one be sure to post a pirep.
Maybe there's good reason why Alaska has so many fabric n tube planes and the asphalt-laden-Lower-48 has so many metal and synthetic material planes.
Nice T-hangers where I live go for $230 / month but I know that's cheap compared to more crowded urban cities, so $$ becomes a bigger concern.
BTW, I really like the Luscombe. I've always hesitated, however, due to a folk lore reputation for ground looping and the narrow 39" cockpit. But what a good price! If you get one be sure to post a pirep.
A Cub clone would be high on my list if I were in the market for a new airplane. The ease in repairing the airframe would certainly be a plus.Autopilot
I agree, a Cub with an autopilot just dosen't compute.
That having been said, I guess I just wanted all the toys I could get.
In LSA's I have found that they are very tiring to fly cross country because of the light weight and I intend to do some long distance trips.
I will be alone most of the time as well.
Bill
That having been said, I guess I just wanted all the toys I could get.
In LSA's I have found that they are very tiring to fly cross country because of the light weight and I intend to do some long distance trips.
I will be alone most of the time as well.
Bill
There are a lot of tricks to keeping any airplane outside.
Good seals and a cockpit cover help the interior and radios
Keep it cleaned and waxed. A spray wax and cotton towels will help for fast cleanup after flying. Remove all bugs before the sun bakes them on.
Fly often to blow out the structure and keep things lubricated
wipe excess oil off the hinges to keep dirt from sticking.
A clearcoat finish seems to have less chalking and more UV protection.
Lexan does not like the sunlight. It crazes and yellows faster than plexiglass
Some ACF 50 lightly fogged into the structure helps. Don't soak everything
Coat all exposed cad plated hardware with PAR-AL-KETONE (Black Bear)
Put some flat stones under the tires and keep them inflated properly
Cowl plugs and pitot cover. Covers for bird size holes
Do all these things and most airframes fabric covered or metal will survive a long time outdoors.
A lot of times fabric airplane problems are due to improper application of the paint products during the recover. Alaska is full of supercubs with no hangar. They are the same average age as the GA fleet.
Even a shade hangar is nice if available. Sometimes they are better than an enclosed hangar that fills with condensation.
Good seals and a cockpit cover help the interior and radios
Keep it cleaned and waxed. A spray wax and cotton towels will help for fast cleanup after flying. Remove all bugs before the sun bakes them on.
Fly often to blow out the structure and keep things lubricated
wipe excess oil off the hinges to keep dirt from sticking.
A clearcoat finish seems to have less chalking and more UV protection.
Lexan does not like the sunlight. It crazes and yellows faster than plexiglass
Some ACF 50 lightly fogged into the structure helps. Don't soak everything
Coat all exposed cad plated hardware with PAR-AL-KETONE (Black Bear)
Put some flat stones under the tires and keep them inflated properly
Cowl plugs and pitot cover. Covers for bird size holes
Do all these things and most airframes fabric covered or metal will survive a long time outdoors.
A lot of times fabric airplane problems are due to improper application of the paint products during the recover. Alaska is full of supercubs with no hangar. They are the same average age as the GA fleet.
Even a shade hangar is nice if available. Sometimes they are better than an enclosed hangar that fills with condensation.
To how many PSI do you inflate the flagstones?Cub flyer wrote: Put some flat stones under the tires and keep them inflated properly
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Check out this new supercub clone (for LSA) that looks awesome!
http://www.zlinaero.com/eng/viewgallery.php?id=7&img=
http://www.zlinaero.com/eng/viewgallery.php?id=7&img=