p.s.: Below are wing covers that I sewed for my old T-Craft. Fun project, but I definitely don't need to do it again! Glad to hire the pros.

-DP

The Kennon Wing Covers I purchased with the spoilers and mesh are superior to anything else on the market in our Montana 50+ mph winds that last for days.......nothing short of excellent and very well made.........great fit and quality and all else....

Post removed by Sue. (No longer employed at Aviation Covers)
Thank you.

Don't forget to protect your propellers from radiating that precious preheat into the atmosphere!

[Edit on 11/12/10]: The post below was current at the time that it was originally submitted. Today I received the engine cover that is referenced. It appears to be a very well-made product. Please see further down in this thread for a fuller report.
-DP


Hate to have to do this, but I was recently contacted by a fellow BCP'er asking how the engine cover turned out. So that no one else has to go down the same road I did, here is the plain truth:

-DP

Unfortunately I never received my order from them. It's been nearly a year, and at least three cycles where they emailed and apologized profusely that my order had slipped through the cracks, and assured me that they'd get on it immediately. From what I gather, there's been changes in staffing which may have something to do with it, but I've also been in direct contact with the owner since the second time they dropped the ball, and that plainly hasn't improved my outcome.

I believe they probably really do produce a good engine cover. Good luck getting one though.

DP

Did you end up ordering something else? Which one did you choose?

I just ordered an engine cover from Kennon. I elected to have my N number embroidered on the cover along with oil door and pre-heating flaps. I also ordered prop and spinner covers. The total price made me choke a little but I went for it anyway.

I was a bit confused with their on-line order system. It kept saying I would have an opportunity during the check out to select other options but I never came across a special instruction page. I emailed them after submitting my order with my special instructions. Think I'll follow up with a phone call just to be sure.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

K

I also have been doing some looking around. I ran across this site and have been in contact with but haven't ordered yet.

www.airplane-covers.com

DenaliPilot,

This is Sue, I do visit the forum here and get the emails on messages, so thought I would see what was happening. Months back, I posted that I have not been employed at Aviation Covers since winter of 2009. I should add that this was my second layoff during my employment there. I had also done some contracting there on and off, as I was needed. So, I know that they were short-handed at times and struggled through our slow economy.

One thing I know about Joang (Aviation Covers) is that she is a hard worker and does much of the work herself. She cares about quality in her work and cares about the Customer. If she hasn't seen this post, I'll let her know about it.

After my last layoff, I decided to focus more on my own business to make a living and have been busy since then. I did say in a previous post that I would tell you all what I'm doing, so here's my update! I have been renting Studio space since last May at Arlington Airport. It's just me there, but I do get some help from my daughter, Crysta sometimes. We are offering Graphic Design & Illustration, Embroidery, Digital (Vinyl) Signage, Custom Sewing, and Garment Imprinting. We also have a full line of Sportswear other Garments available... None of this is new for me, I'm an Artist/Designer and have been in business for 24 years. Between raising three kids (now all grown and with their own families) I have run my business and kept on working as a Commercial Artist in some form.

However, much of my Clientelle is new, as the majority of the work that I do now is now Aircraft related. In previous years, most of my Customers were Schools and Sports Groups. Anyhow, my new Studio is in the NASA building at Arlington Airport, which is the old 1941-ish Navy Hangar. It now houses a privately own collection of Airplanes including AlphaJets, some other interesting Aircraft, some very Colorful People (!) and now me! I'm pretty happy doing my work there, I have a beautiful view of the middle of the runway and an entire wall of tall windows all across the front of my studio. Gotta love that!

I agree with what you said about Aviation Covers, I also believe that they make good products. I also agree (know) that there had been some staffing changes, and I am sure that Joang will want to know of your post here.

Good luck to you DenaliPilot!

Kind regards,
Sue

Thanks for chiming in Sue. I know none of this is your fault.

Last winter I made it by with my ratty old engine cover, but I can't do it another year. In fact, yesterday I went out to preflight and found that the magpies had torn a big hole in it and ripped out a quantity of insulation, and then sh*t all over it to boot. Then on the top of the wing cover I discovered a gristly rib bone and more bird sh*t.

Not sure what I'll do about the bird problem, but as far as an engine cover, I need somebody who can deliver on a commitment, and I need them soon.

-DP

Alaska wing covers. If/when I ever have to replace my Kennons I will give them a try. Check them out on the Found, DP.

Bighorn wrote:I also have been doing some looking around. I ran across this site and have been in contact with but haven't ordered yet.

http://www.airplane-covers.com

I ordered a complete set of everything they have for my PA-22 because it was the most affordable option. I haven't had the others to compare, though I see them on the ramp. The covers in general have been great. The wing covers have light duty bungees, so that is an issue, but everything else seems to be of good quality. The engine cover is very rugged, the toughest I've seen, though not perhaps as completely sealed along the bottom as some others appear to be. That is likely less of an issue if you don't have a training wheel up front to accomodate. Anyway, flew all last winter using the covers and it was fine, didn't have covers frozen to the plane, kept off frost, pretty satisfied.

Sue wrote:DenaliPilot,

This is Sue, I do visit the forum here and get the emails on messages, so thought I would see what was happening. Months back, I posted that I have not been employed at Aviation Covers since winter of 2009. I should add that this was my second layoff during my employment there. I had also done some contracting there on and off, as I was needed. So, I know that they were short-handed at times and struggled through our slow economy.

One thing I know about Joang (Aviation Covers) is that she is a hard worker and does much of the work herself. She cares about quality in her work and cares about the Customer. If she hasn't seen this post, I'll let her know about it.

...

I agree with what you said about Aviation Covers, I also believe that they make good products. I also agree (know) that there had been some staffing changes, and I am sure that Joang will want to know of your post here.

Good luck to you DenaliPilot!

Kind regards,
Sue

Sue (and others who may be following this):

I'm quite happy to say that I received my finished engine cover from Aviation Covers today. Right out of the package it looks like a very well-made product, which I would not hesitate to recommend.

I got the "thin insulated" version, which contains a layer of reflective mylar/metallic foil, and claims to outperform bulkier batting insulation. Check back later in the winter if you're curious about how this works, as I don't have any basis yet to say. However, it seems sufficiently sturdy for regular, hard use in rough environments. Most notable is the very compact size. It would easily fit in a small backpack, such as a kid's book bag. It's at least half the bulk of my old conventional cover. It also comes with a generously-sized stuff sack.

All my customization requests were fulfilled, including an engine inspection opening, a flap for venting preheat (for cross-flow), a flap for a Northern Companion preheater scat hose, and N-number embroidery. There was one snafu with the placement of the engine inspection opening. I emailed about this, and received a very prompt reply stating that they would take the cover back and fix it without delay. Joang proposed a couple ways to make the adjustment, which all sounded satisfactory.

The hardware is just what I would use if I were designing an engine cover. A couple medium-size Fastex buckles in key locations, and a judicious use of Velcro everywhere else. I'm not a fan of the big rubber balls due to the weight and the bulk, and the dangling shock cords. This cover seems quite well-designed with respect to balancing function and keeping it light and compact. Also, a minimum of things dangling off to get caught or snagged. Additionally, the lining has some heavy, rubberized (or siliconized?) reinforcements in key areas. I expect these relate to high wear and/or high temp areas. I don't remember seeing that feature in their advertising, so I wanted to call attention to it here.

It fits the plane like a glove, with the single exception of the engine inspection opening, noted above. I'm confident they'll get that worked out, though. I'm not sure if this is standard, or due to my request, but it attaches very cleanly with a shock cord on either side that can be hooked back around the respective gear legs. The cover does a good job of covering up the large opening at the bottom of a stock 170 cowl, which should be helpful when preheating. Unlike many covers I've used, this one extends to the firewall, but not aft of it. I suppose this makes good sense, from the standpoint of limiting excess bulk. Engine preheat ought to work just as effectively as with a longer cover, I think.

The inside lining is available in safety orange, which is what I opted for. Speaking of safety, I found that you could easily wear this as an insulated poncho by sticking your head through the spinner opening. You could even hunker inside it, and it would make a decent bivvy/ shelter in an emergency. The outer fabric appears to be waterproofed, which would also be a benefit in this situation.

As for production, once they did get to my order, it took about a week and a half, which seems as good as what any similar outfit offers. I gather that a large part of the delay in my case was because they did not yet have a pattern for a 170, and didn't have access to a 170 to create one. Well as of my job, they do now have a pattern, so hopefully if anyone else wants to try them out you won't have the delays that I experienced. I also get the sense that customization is welcomed, so if there's anything in this review that makes you go " ", I'd encourage talking with them to see about what other options are available.

As for customer service, the owner, Joang, is quite attentive and quality-oriented, as Sue stated. I received a discount and free embroidery to make up for the production delays I experienced, but I consider their standard rates to be quite reasonable for what they offer. I hope that this company has managed to weather the worst challenges of the slow economy, and will continue to be around for a long time. I think this new cover is going to last for many years, but I can see myself going back to Aviation Covers when the time comes. (Or when I need that Helio Courier cowling cover...)

-Denalipilot

denalipilot wrote:

Sue wrote:DenaliPilot,
I'm quite happy to say that I received my finished engine cover from Aviation Covers today. Right out of the package it looks like a very well-made product, which I would not hesitate to recommend...
-Denalipilot

Hello DenaliPilot!

I'm so glad that you got delivery of your engine cover and that you are very happy, yay!!!! Very well written review, and a fair one too. Custom patterning is definately the biggest "snaffu" with any aircraft cover, since the airplane is not always at the same location where the work is being done. And of course in your case, 170b's are not so easy to find (you do have the 170b, right Denali?).

Best wishes to you DenaliPilot, and also to Joang @ Aviation Covers!

Kind regards,
Sue

I purchased from AviationCovers last May or June. We had an initial snafu but AC got it straightened out and delivered a beautiful product for my 172B. It fits very well. I'm really pleased with it and it's design.

Since it's so new I can't comment on how long it will hold up but the material looks and feels robust. The workmanship is top notch from what I can tell. They can put me down as a happy customer.

I'm curious as to the effectiveness of mesh wing covers, for anything other than being a vehicle for the lift spoilers. Seems like the wing tops would get frosted right through the mesh.

hotrod150 wrote:I'm curious as to the effectiveness of mesh wing covers, for anything other than being a vehicle for the lift spoilers. Seems like the wing tops would get frosted right through the mesh.

Probably has a lot to do with your climate. In interior AK they do fine 95% of the time. It helps to leave just a bit of snow on them, and then the frost tends to form on the snow and not on the wing tops. Take a look at the mesh close-up sometime. There's more fabric than hole. And the action of pulling the covers off usually brushes away any sharp frost that may be present. Freezing rain- different story.

-DP