I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at the
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at the
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:46:40 PM UTC-7, Doug Bailey wrote:airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at the
Where are you? Your potential problems are quite different in a dry desert climate vs a humid coastal climate, or Phoenix in the summer vs Montana in the winter.
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:46:40 PM UTC-7, Doug Bailey wrote:airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at the
Where are you? Your potential problems are quite different in a dry desert climate vs a humid coastal climate, or Phoenix in the summer vs Montana in the winter.
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 5:57:50 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote:the airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:46:40 PM UTC-7, Doug Bailey wrote:
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at
Where are you? Your potential problems are quite different in a dry desert climate vs a humid coastal climate, or Phoenix in the summer vs Montana in the winter.I'm in Northern California - I trained with HSC in Hollister and if I decide to keep it at an airport, that's where it will be. The ramp storage there is in full sun.
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 9:30:06 AM UTC-4, Doug Bailey wrote:the airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 5:57:50 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:46:40 PM UTC-7, Doug Bailey wrote:
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at
If you have the option it is very good to have the trailer under cover. This reduces heating and moisture cycles which extends the life of both glider and trailer.Where are you? Your potential problems are quite different in a dry desert climate vs a humid coastal climate, or Phoenix in the summer vs Montana in the winter.I'm in Northern California - I trained with HSC in Hollister and if I decide to keep it at an airport, that's where it will be. The ramp storage there is in full sun.
High heat cycles age the glider faster which shows up as shrink eventually affecting performance.
Moisture cycles affect finish adversely.
UH
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 8:45:18 AM UTC-7, Hank Nixon wrote:at the airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 9:30:06 AM UTC-4, Doug Bailey wrote:
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 5:57:50 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:46:40 PM UTC-7, Doug Bailey wrote:
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it
class, same boat for 20 years), hence the question. And physically, there's Ahrenius (chemical reactions double in speed every 10 degrees C, approximately) - so bad shit can happen "not much" then "all at once" if there's a thermal spike. I doubt that aThanks for this. My approach to things I own is to keep them maintained and looking nice for the long haul. I'm not a "use it up and buy another one" kind of person. I'm familiar with the weather impacts on composite structures (yacht racing - sameIf you have the option it is very good to have the trailer under cover. This reduces heating and moisture cycles which extends the life of both glider and trailer.Where are you? Your potential problems are quite different in a dry desert climate vs a humid coastal climate, or Phoenix in the summer vs Montana in the winter.I'm in Northern California - I trained with HSC in Hollister and if I decide to keep it at an airport, that's where it will be. The ramp storage there is in full sun.
High heat cycles age the glider faster which shows up as shrink eventually affecting performance.
Moisture cycles affect finish adversely.
UH
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 5:57:50 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote:the airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:46:40 PM UTC-7, Doug Bailey wrote:
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at
OK, Hollister! There's a lot of glider pilots there, so those are the ones you should be talking to (not us random responders on RAS :^) ), or at least join their newsgroup. I suggest you order the trailer with paint instead of gel coat, just in case youWhere are you? Your potential problems are quite different in a dry desert climate vs a humid coastal climate, or Phoenix in the summer vs Montana in the winter.I'm in Northern California - I trained with HSC in Hollister and if I decide to keep it at an airport, that's where it will be. The ramp storage there is in full sun.
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 6:30:06 AM UTC-7, Doug Bailey wrote:airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 5:57:50 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote: >>> On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:46:40 PM UTC-7, Doug Bailey wrote:
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at the
you have to park it outside. That is often true, even if you can find hangar to keep the glider assembled.OK, Hollister! There's a lot of glider pilots there, so those are the ones you should be talking to (not us random responders on RAS :^) ), or at least join their newsgroup. I suggest you order the trailer with paint instead of gel coat, just in caseWhere are you? Your potential problems are quite different in a dry desert climate vs a humid coastal climate, or Phoenix in the summer vs Montana in the winter.I'm in Northern California - I trained with HSC in Hollister and if I decide to keep it at an airport, that's where it will be. The ramp storage there is in full sun.
Get a couple of portable car ports. Cut, trim, join to make a sun shadecarport&pd_rd_i=B0C4DKTJ3T&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-1-5190daf0-67e3-427c-bea6-c72c1df98776
long enough to park your trailer under.
https://www.amazon.com/Land-Guard-Carport-Canopy-10x20/dp/B0C4DKTJ3T/ref=sxin_15_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356%3Aamzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356&cv_ct_cx=portable+carport&keywords=portable+
Dan
5J
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 2:54:32 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:carport&pd_rd_i=B0C4DKTJ3T&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-1-5190daf0-67e3-427c-bea6-c72c1df98776
Get a couple of portable car ports. Cut, trim, join to make a sun shade
long enough to park your trailer under.
https://www.amazon.com/Land-Guard-Carport-Canopy-10x20/dp/B0C4DKTJ3T/ref=sxin_15_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356%3Aamzn1.sym.6cfa532e-9c8f-48d2-87a3-a61547a0d356&cv_ct_cx=portable+carport&keywords=portable+
Dan
5J
Good idea, Dan but unmodified, this thing will take off faster than a toupee in a fan-factory!in OH had a shelter for their trailers like this and the tarp material showed the effects of UV after just a few years.
It needs some serious ground anchors and the slip-fit tubing joints would need to be secured with a sheet-metal screw to keep them locked in place. The tarp may need to be re-made with some more UV-resistant awning material in short order. My friends
Uli
'AS'
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 8:45:18 AM UTC-7, Hank Nixon wrote:I doubt that a modest 50C or 60C max temperature inside a glider trailer in the sun would be enough to test the glass transition temperatures of a glider's materials, but ...
Dougmuch as possible..
My understanding is that UV can penetrate a Cobra Fiberglass top and reek havoc with the finish, sitting out int he sun.
I've seen here locally with a really damaged beyond belief LS6 That sat in a fiberglass cobra trailer in the sun.
If I were to leave a fiberglass top cobra out in the sun I would do the above advice on ventilation and rodent proofing and spend a afternoon with a big roll of foil backed bubble wrap and line the whole interior of the lid to try and UV proof it as
I've seen this done and its not too hard to do
And of course really tie the trailer down and try to have your neighbors do the same.
It's seems the weather is getting stronger and wilder.
Nick
T
Dougmuch as possible..
My understanding is that UV can penetrate a Cobra Fiberglass top and reek havoc with the finish, sitting out int he sun.
I've seen here locally with a really damaged beyond belief LS6 That sat in a fiberglass cobra trailer in the sun.
If I were to leave a fiberglass top cobra out in the sun I would do the above advice on ventilation and rodent proofing and spend a afternoon with a big roll of foil backed bubble wrap and line the whole interior of the lid to try and UV proof it as
I've seen this done and its not too hard to do
And of course really tie the trailer down and try to have your neighbors do the same.
It's seems the weather is getting stronger and wilder.
Nick
T
On Thursday, 17 August 2023 at 04:00:50 UTC+1, Nicholas Kennedy wrote:much as possible..
Doug
My understanding is that UV can penetrate a Cobra Fiberglass top and reek havoc with the finish, sitting out int he sun.
I've seen here locally with a really damaged beyond belief LS6 That sat in a fiberglass cobra trailer in the sun.
If I were to leave a fiberglass top cobra out in the sun I would do the above advice on ventilation and rodent proofing and spend a afternoon with a big roll of foil backed bubble wrap and line the whole interior of the lid to try and UV proof it as
I've seen this done and its not too hard to doIf it's not too late stump up the extra and get the metal topped Cobra.
And of course really tie the trailer down and try to have your neighbors do the same.
It's seems the weather is getting stronger and wilder.
Nick
T
On Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 2:00:01 AM UTC-7, John Galloway wrote:as much as possible..
On Thursday, 17 August 2023 at 04:00:50 UTC+1, Nicholas Kennedy wrote:
Doug
My understanding is that UV can penetrate a Cobra Fiberglass top and reek havoc with the finish, sitting out int he sun.
I've seen here locally with a really damaged beyond belief LS6 That sat in a fiberglass cobra trailer in the sun.
If I were to leave a fiberglass top cobra out in the sun I would do the above advice on ventilation and rodent proofing and spend a afternoon with a big roll of foil backed bubble wrap and line the whole interior of the lid to try and UV proof it
with passivation and a zinc chromate undercoat, the paint seems to flake off regrettably soon. Also, I was guessing that the plastic would be more immune to rapid thermal cycling than metal. It never occured to me that the fiberglass top would beI didn't choose the fiberglass version for cost reasons. I have a lot of experience with composites and I figured I could successfully repaint it, fix it etc myself when needed. I have had pretty much zero success painting aluminum (boat spars) - evenI've seen this done and its not too hard to doIf it's not too late stump up the extra and get the metal topped Cobra.
And of course really tie the trailer down and try to have your neighbors do the same.
It's seems the weather is getting stronger and wilder.
Nick
T
I did some more thinking on the car port idea. One could use a tarp oras much as possible..
two over the top of the trailer with some sort of spacers between the trailer and the tarp and then staked down like a tent.
Better still, tie the tarp under the trailer.
Dan
5J
On 8/17/23 12:10, mrop...@gmail.com wrote:
On Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 11:42:24 AM UTC-4, Doug Bailey wrote:
On Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 2:00:01 AM UTC-7, John Galloway wrote: >>> On Thursday, 17 August 2023 at 04:00:50 UTC+1, Nicholas Kennedy wrote: >>>> Doug
My understanding is that UV can penetrate a Cobra Fiberglass top and reek havoc with the finish, sitting out int he sun.
I've seen here locally with a really damaged beyond belief LS6 That sat in a fiberglass cobra trailer in the sun.
If I were to leave a fiberglass top cobra out in the sun I would do the above advice on ventilation and rodent proofing and spend a afternoon with a big roll of foil backed bubble wrap and line the whole interior of the lid to try and UV proof it
even with passivation and a zinc chromate undercoat, the paint seems to flake off regrettably soon. Also, I was guessing that the plastic would be more immune to rapid thermal cycling than metal. It never occured to me that the fiberglass top would beI've seen this done and its not too hard to doIf it's not too late stump up the extra and get the metal topped Cobra. >> I didn't choose the fiberglass version for cost reasons. I have a lot of experience with composites and I figured I could successfully repaint it, fix it etc myself when needed. I have had pretty much zero success painting aluminum (boat spars) -
And of course really tie the trailer down and try to have your neighbors do the same.
It's seems the weather is getting stronger and wilder.
Nick
T
The Cobra trailers have evolved over time. I don't know which year fiberglass top Cobra/Komet trailers that Mark was referencing. The
early ones were single layered FRP versions as were the old Eberle
and Schroeder glass covered tube and semi-clamshell type trailers.
Those type trailers would let diffused light into the trailer, and apparently some UV rays as well. The later Cobra fiberglass tops
are a two layer sandwich type construction (with a thin insulation
layer in between IIRC), and also have a black UV blocking paint
sprayed on the inside. If I open the front hatch on my trailer when
I'm out in the bright sunlight, the trailer is pitch black inside. I keep my glider in the trailer, in a hangar in New York State. It does make
a long term difference in the condition of both the trailer and glider. When it comes to storage, you get what you pay for.
Mike Opitz
RO
Dougmuch as possible..
My understanding is that UV can penetrate a Cobra Fiberglass top and reek havoc with the finish, sitting out int he sun.
I've seen here locally with a really damaged beyond belief LS6 That sat in a fiberglass cobra trailer in the sun.
If I were to leave a fiberglass top cobra out in the sun I would do the above advice on ventilation and rodent proofing and spend a afternoon with a big roll of foil backed bubble wrap and line the whole interior of the lid to try and UV proof it as
I've seen this done and its not too hard to do
And of course really tie the trailer down and try to have your neighbors do the same.
It's seems the weather is getting stronger and wilder.
Nick
T
On Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 2:00:01 AM UTC-7, John Galloway wrote:as much as possible..
On Thursday, 17 August 2023 at 04:00:50 UTC+1, Nicholas Kennedy wrote:
Doug
My understanding is that UV can penetrate a Cobra Fiberglass top and reek havoc with the finish, sitting out int he sun.
I've seen here locally with a really damaged beyond belief LS6 That sat in a fiberglass cobra trailer in the sun.
If I were to leave a fiberglass top cobra out in the sun I would do the above advice on ventilation and rodent proofing and spend a afternoon with a big roll of foil backed bubble wrap and line the whole interior of the lid to try and UV proof it
with passivation and a zinc chromate undercoat, the paint seems to flake off regrettably soon. Also, I was guessing that the plastic would be more immune to rapid thermal cycling than metal. It never occured to me that the fiberglass top would beI didn't choose the fiberglass version for cost reasons. I have a lot of experience with composites and I figured I could successfully repaint it, fix it etc myself when needed. I have had pretty much zero success painting aluminum (boat spars) - evenI've seen this done and its not too hard to doIf it's not too late stump up the extra and get the metal topped Cobra.
And of course really tie the trailer down and try to have your neighbors do the same.
It's seems the weather is getting stronger and wilder.
Nick
T
I have a glider showing up in late Q4. It's my first owned aircraft of any kind, so I have a long list of possibly dumb questions. The top of my list right now is "where to keep it?".airport with cloth covers for the trailer ($$). Does parking a glider in the trailer in the California sun screw it up? Does slow cooking mess up the laminate or the instrument screens, or fabrics/finishes? Do I need to worry about bugs and beasties
It's going to have a new Cobra trailer with a fiberglass top. I'm lucky enough to have some space at home and so my options are to park it at my place in the open or build a shelter/garage ($$$$), park it at the airport in the open or park it at the
Here's another data point: my 28 year old painted aluminum top Cobra trailer has always been outside, uncovered, in eastern Washington State (Richland, WA - desert climate, mostly). I stopped waxing it 20 years ago, but I still wash it once or twice ayear. It looks good, and would likely look very good if it was polished and waxed. Cobra did not paint the aluminum sheet used on the top, but purchased it already painted.
It is, apparently, a very high quality, durable paint. There's never been a need to repair or repaint the top, and I would get a metal one again. My choice might be different if I lived in a humid climate.
On Friday, August 18, 2023 at 1:49:52 PM UTC-4, Eric Greenwell wrote:a year. It looks good, and would likely look very good if it was polished and waxed. Cobra did not paint the aluminum sheet used on the top, but purchased it already painted.
Here's another data point: my 28 year old painted aluminum top Cobra trailer has always been outside, uncovered, in eastern Washington State (Richland, WA - desert climate, mostly). I stopped waxing it 20 years ago, but I still wash it once or twice
I think you are probably right, but it is confusing the website shows this: "...[the cover is] a monocoque of powder-coated, painted aluminum sheet which is riveted and bonded water-tight.It is, apparently, a very high quality, durable paint. There's never been a need to repair or repaint the top, and I would get a metal one again. My choice might be different if I lived in a humid climate.Eric - the material Spindelberger is using is not painted. It is powder-coated which is baked on, resulting in some of the most durable coatings around.
Uli
'AS'
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