Hey all,

So I am wondering, if I leave rag and tube parked outside in the middle of nowhere for a few days while I'm off hunting, it's gonna get rained on some. Does this pose any real issue on a recurring basis for a fabric covered aircraft?
(Assuming I can keep the cockpit from leaking.)

I'm also kinda worried about water getting into the wings around the tank caps and wing-root fairing, leaving me heavier on takeoff. Heavy / sideways rain gets in all sorts of places....

What are you boys with Cubs / Maules doing with overnighter's in the mountains? Is it generally a bad idea to let them get rained on?

There is no problem if your plane gets wet from the rain.
You should have weep holes under the wing for draining if you do get water
in the wings. The fabrick should last a long time if it was covered right.
In joy your hunt..
Ken in Alaska

Bring some duct tape and a couple tire tubes. You might need 'em if a bear takes an interest in your bird.

I'm betting the majority of tube & fabric airplanes spend their lives like this rather than tucked away in cozy, warm, dry hangars...



Gump

BeeMan wrote:Bring some duct tape and a couple tire tubes. You might need 'em if a bear takes an interest in your bird.

Luckily not many bears around here, but wild cattle on the other hand...

Where you're going I'd be more worried about kea could cause far more harm than any amount of rain in a short space of time. Like Gump says, seems like we have the luxury (and mentality) of always using hangars compared to those in AK etc.

Battson, depends what you are flying. Each has its leak points.
If a Maule, make sure your mechanic retaped the wingroots under the wingroot fairings.
Make sure the fuel cap seals are not cracked or collapsed.
Make sure you have a rain gutter running across the top of the double right rear doors.
Then you can leave it outside forever, as most do.

Are you able to tell me how Maule attaches the rain gutter to the fabric, at the cargo door?
Thanks!

Sticky back J or P channel will do it, from hardware store usually in weather stripping dept.
There is also a plastic J channel used for edging formica etc. thin layer of contact cement for this one.

I wish I had a photo of the ramp at Fairbanks. In August.

Also make sure the gap between the wing and fuselage is well sealed w/ Duct tape. That is the special Moultrie type tape especially designed for Maules

Don't park near any Kea areas. They shredded my bike seat one day. Made for a very uncomfortable ride to the nearest shop.

TD

Emory Bored wrote:I wish I had a photo of the ramp at Fairbanks. In August.

August has come and gone, but I can get you one in September if you'd like.

A better picture would be an overhead of lakloey, chena marina, lakewood, and airway

CamTom12 wrote:

Emory Bored wrote:I wish I had a photo of the ramp at Fairbanks. In August.

August has come and gone, but I can get you one in September if you'd like.

A better picture would be an overhead of lakloey, chena marina, lakewood, and airway

Yup. Somehow folks have got this idea Outside that airplanes are wusses.