I am considering buying my first plane. It will likely to be a Socata TB10. However I will not get a hangar place before one or two more years. Therefore the plane would be parked outdoors. I leave in France in the southeast region, in a valley surrounded by mountains. It can snow three or four times a year. Heat (in the high thirties centigrade) and thunderstorms are common in the summer. In the last few years (it was not the case before) we have been getting hailstorms, maybe twice a year in average.
Do you think it is reasonable to have the plane parked outdoors in this kind of weather? What are the measures to be taken to minimize the potential damage to the plane?
Any experience feedback in parking GA planes outdoors would be highly appreciated.
Sam
A TB10 is definitely not the worst type for that, but you need to get protection:
INSIDE: ensure all the structure is corrosion-protected with ACF-50, CorrosionX or some other high quality CIC of your choice. Use some means (dehydrator) to keep your cabin and engine compartment moisture-fee. I also keep my engine compartment frequently sprayed with a fine mist of engine oil.
OUTSIDE: tie-down and covers sums it up. Cover as much as possible. Engine compartment and cockpit for a start. However a hailstorm can leave your flying surfaces dimpled: I would get custom-made covers for them too: they go a long way to minimizing hail damage and also avoid UV paint damage. All bearings, fittings, joints, landing gear, properly and frequently lubed. You can use LPS3 or another thick CIC on external unpainted bolts and fittings, just make sure it does not preclude control movement: it is not approved for moving parts at freezing temps, although a TB10 will not fly in the FL’s where this is a bigger risk.
With these precautions, you should be good.
@Peter might chime in too: he has experience.
Besides preventing initial damage, it’s important to remedy any damage already existing before it grows further. For example, chipped paint, incipient corrosion or deteriorating rubber on a plane parked outside are more worrisome events than on a hangared one.
After an intense rain, once it has stopped, take the covers off and hang them to dry (the plane will dry quicker, too).
Don’t let the plane stand idle, fly it often.
Great advice you have already received.
Probably obvious, but are there any other airports in the area that might have a hangar, even if it means a longer drive? Also, any other aircraft you could buy that are already in a hangar? Perhaps there are other aircraft in a hanger that don’t need to be there, and can be moved onto the ramp.
I would buy all the covers. They are a hassle with static wicks (can get broken off, and very difficult when windy unless you have someone helping).
Repair any external corrosion even if it looks tacky (don’t just use primer because primer has no UV resistance).
Make sure door seals are good. The Socata ones are quite easy to replace (use silicone sealant to attach them).
Fly often (once a week at least).
I think you have received a lot of good advice for keeping the aircraft outside. Covers to protect against the elements are certainly worth it and what you will be saving on hangarage would be well spent on having the covers custom made. Personally, I would advise on 2 sets. One of soft material eg cotton or linen (or if you are rich or go to Asia silk preferably raw silk) and the other of material strong enough and waterproof enough to fight the elements.
The soft one goes under the stronger one and has 2 purposes. Firstly it goes on under the waterproof cover and following wet weather you can feel or see under the waterproof cover to see if any humidity has crept through. Secondly it acts as a good lightweight summer cover against dust and UV.
In both cases it is better to have them custom made because of antenna etc. Otherwise you will be making your own holes which eventually fray.
Flying regularly is also the best option, preferably more than 1hr a week.
Dehumidifiers are also a must for any areas where humidity is likely to be a problem. As you probably won’t have power, you will need chemical dehumidifiers eg salt. But remember that these chemicals can be corrosive, themselves and need to be changed regularly. You might be surprised how much water these dehumidifiers can collect in a week of humid conditions.
Incidentally many of the same problems also exist inside a hangar unless there is constant airflow or the hangar is dehumidified.
I sold my plane (mooney) because I could not find a hangar, I live in the SW of France so no snow but rain, wind, lots of heat – everything bar the snow.
I considered covers – but to cover the empennage, wings, etc – manhandling those on a ramp – potentially putting the covers on, pulling them off in rain, wind – worrying about the thing all the time – I was also thinking about dropping 30k on it to have it completely stripped, greased, painted and able to stand some weather outside.
But then I thought – I have enough hassle in my life.
The Reims Cessnas came with zinc chromate primer protection. I had a Piper that lived outside, but it also came with zinc chromate protection. I bought a Warrior, no zinc chromate, but it got regular corrosion treatment, and it lived outside. It eventually lived in a hangar and I spent some money treating corrosion to the paintwork.
I passed on an early HB reg Bonanza, in addition to all the import/re registration friction, I didn’t have hangarage at the time.
As a personal owner I would want the aircraft hangared, in a well constructed hangar with tenant insurance.
Search for silica gel too – drops internal RH considerably.
Just a general suggestion to (as stated by others above) carefully look for alternative airfields/airports, even if (very) far away. It’s a constant hazzle with the covers and if you are caring about the finish (not only corrosion) and keeping avionics fresh, in my mind, you need to be in a hangar. No need to be heated though. Driving another hour would be totally worth it, if you would ask me. But I’m very careful…
