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AIRCRAFT COVERS, GENERAL INFORMATION
For general information on covers for all aircraft, click on the topics listed at the left.
Specific information about any model, including prices, descriptions, illustrations, photos, and order forms, is available in our ORDER INFO section, or you can contact us by e-mail, phone or fax.
E-mail: bruce@aircraftcovers.com
Phone: 408/738-3959
Toll Free (US & Canada): 800/777-6405
Fax: 408/738-2729
Bruce's Custom Covers, a division of Canvas Works, Inc.
989 California Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94085 USA
General Information: COVERS FOR AIRPLANES (for model-specific information, go to ORDER INFO)
• Canopy and Cabin Covers for Airplanes
Canopy covers keep the cabin interior cool and dry, and they help keep the plexiglas clean.
Most canopy covers are designed to enclose the windshield, windows and upper portions of the doors. Some designs extend forward to protect the avionics bay, access panels or forward baggage doors. Others extend downward to the wing, while others go back along the tail section.
Details can vary widely for each airplane. Antennae and temperature probe placements vary widely, and windshield/window modifications sometimes need to be determined.
Canopy covers are usually made of our special material: Silver Laminate, but they can be made of Sunbrella™ if requested.
• Cockpit & Windshield Covers
Smaller Cockpit or Windshield Covers are available for larger single and twin engine airplanes. They are designed to cover the cockpit and windshield areas only.
• About our Material
Silver Laminate is a laminated nylon material made especially for us. The outer material is a shiny silver-grey Cordura™ nylon, treated for water repellency and UV protection. The inner lining is black, lightly brushed knit nylon. The two materials are permanently bonded together. Silver Laminate is water repellent, yet breathable. The soft lining prevents plexiglas scratches, and the Cordura™ nylon is strong, flexible and durable.
• Engine Covers for Airplanes
Engine covers help keep the engine free of dirt, bird nests and insects. They also help keep the engine warm. They protect the paint and overlap with the canopy cover to make a more complete fit.
Engine covers are most commonly designed to cover the engine cowling from the firewall forward. Usually the belly is not covered, but some designs also enclose the belly, as well as the nose gear.
Engine covers are usually made of Silver Laminate to match and overlap with the canopy covers, but they can be made of Sunbrella™ if requested. For use in extreme cold, insulated covers are also available.
• Propellor Covers
Propellor Covers are one-piece designs which cover the blades and spinner. They are used to help keep the blades, spinner and prop hub clean and free of debris.
• Engine Plugs
Engine plugs are very useful in protecting the engine compartment from nesting birds and insects. They also help keep the engine compartment free of dust and debris.
Engine plugs are made of durable Naugahyde™ vinyl, designed be friction fit in place. They feature a nylon webbing handle, and small flags which can be seen from the cockpit. Each plug is embroidered with the aircraft registration number. Usually engine plugs are made by the pair and are joined with nylon rope.
Additional plugs (carburetor inlet, heater/air inlet, etc.) are also available
Engine plugs come in literally hundreds of shapes and sizes, determined by aircraft year, make and model.
• Pitot Covers
Pitot covers provide protection to the pitot tube from ice, debris and insects. Made of Naugahyde™ vinyl, pitot tube covers are intended to match the engine plugs in material and workmanship.
• Prop Tie Down/Exhaust Cover Sets
Used on many turboprop models, Prop tie/exhaust cover sets are used to prevent the propellor from free spinning in the wind, and to cover the exhaust stacks at the same time.
This item is made with a combination of nylon and vinyl materials, and is custom made according to aircraft model, propellor and exhaust stack specifications.
• Wing Covers
Wing covers and horizontal stabilizer covers are most often used for frost and snow protection. They are also used as protection against fading caused by the Sun.
Wing covers overlap at the leading and trailing edges of the wing, and have a pocket at the wingtip which zips tight. Depending on the model, some have to be custom made to allow for static wicks. Sometimes wing covers also cover tip tanks and, for twin engine models, the engine cowling as well. Normally wing covers attach with nylon webbing which tighten with side-release nylon buckles.
Wing covers are usually made of Cordura™ nylon, but can also be made of Sunbrella™ if requested.
• Empennage Covers
Empennage covers protect the entire tail section, including the tailboom, horizontal and vertical stabilizers. Empennage covers are intended to overlap with Extended Canopy Covers where a full cover set is used to protect the entire airplane.
Like wing covers, empennage covers are usually made of Cordura™ nylon, but can be made of Sunbrella™ if requested.
• Airplane Cover Sets
For more complete protection, covers can be produced in sets to cover the entire aircraft, or major portions of it.
• Heatshields for Airplanes
HeatShields are interior reflectors which are intended as temporary relief against heat buildup in the cabin interior. The do keep the cockpit about as cool as exterior covers, but they can take longer to install and do nothing to protect the plexiglas or to prevent damage caused by leaks.
Our HeatShield material is a special laminate of metallized polyester film, laminated to a thin sheet of closed-cell foam. It is thinner than bubble-pack type reflectors, and has extremely good reflective and insulating qualities.
Where an exterior cover is not considered practical by the operator, a HeatShield is often the best solution for cabin protection.
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General Information: COVERS FOR JETS (for model-specific information, go to ORDER INFO)
• Jet Windshield Covers
Windshield covers are used to protect the cabin from excessive heat buildup, to keep the windows clean, and to prevent leaks at door and window seals. Sometimes covers are designed to extend forward to cover the nose, aft to cover the door, and downward to cover pitot tubes and static wick ports. Windshield covers are usually made of our Silver Laminate material, but can also be produced with Sunbrella™ as well.
• HeatShields for Jets
HeatShields are interior reflectors which are intended as temporary relief against heat buildup in the cockpit or cabin interior. The do keep the interior about as cool as exterior covers, but they can take longer to install and do nothing to protect the plexiglas or to prevent damage caused by leaks. Also, in aircraft equipped with laminated windshields, they may cause damage to those windshields because of excessive heat buildup near the glass.
Our HeatShield material is a special laminate of metallized polyester film, laminated to a thin sheet of closed-cell foam. It is thinner than bubble-pack type reflectors, and has extremely good reflective and insulating qualities.
Where an exterior cover is not considered practical by the operator, a HeatShield is often the best solution for cabin protection.
• Jet Engine Covers
Engine covers are used to protect vital engine components from damage caused by blowing debris, rain, ice and snow. They are designed to be quickly installed, securely fit and easily stowed.
For most models, engine covers come as a set of intake and exhaust covers which are used together or separately. They feature a spring steel hoop into the hem of each cover which makes it rigid enough for fast installation. This spring steel hoop also allows the cover to quickly fold into a flat circular bundle for storage.
Engine covers are made of Cordura™ nylon and come in a wide variety of colors. They can be silk-screened or embroidered with the aircraft registration number, or with a company logo.
• Jet Engine Plugs
Although they are not as easily stored as the engine covers, sometimes operators prefer to use engine plugs. Usually made of Naugahyde™ supported vinyl, plugs are friction fit. For easier storage on larger plugs, they can be designed to fold in half.
• Pitot Tube, AOA Vane, Rosemount Probe Covers & Small Plugs for Jets
A variety of small covers and plugs are available for all jet aircraft. Many covers are grouped together for easier installation. Small inlet plugs, specific for each model, are also available.
• Jet Cover Sets
For more complete protection, covers can be produced in sets to cover the entire aircraft, or major portions of it
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General Information: COVERS FOR HELICOPTERS (for model-specific information, go to ORDER INFO)
• Helicopter Bubble & Windshield Covers
Bubble covers protect the helicopter from damage caused by excessive heat buildup in the cabin. They also prevent leaks and keep the plexiglas clean.
Bubble Covers usually enclose the entire forward cabin area, including the windshield, side windows, doors, skylights and nose. They are custom made to accommodate antennae, wire strike fixtures and other external gear.
Made of our special Silver Laminate material, bubble covers can also be made of the more common Sunbrella™ material.
• HeatShields for Helicopters
HeatShields are interior reflectors which are intended as temporary relief against heat buildup in the cabin interior. The do keep the cockpit about as cool as exterior covers, but they can take longer to install and do nothing to protect the plexiglas or to prevent damage caused by leaks.
Our HeatShield material is a special laminate of metallized polyester film, laminated to a thin sheet of closed-cell foam. It is thinner than bubble-pack type reflectors, and has extremely good reflective and insulating qualities.
Where an exterior cover is not considered practical by the operator, a HeatShield is often the best solution for cabin protection.
• Helicopter Engine Covers
Engine covers are designed to protect against damage caused by excessive rain, ice or snow. They also prevent against blowing debris.
Helicopter engine covers vary widely in application and size. Some types cover specific engine components while others enclose the entire engine area.
Engine covers are usually made of Cordura™ nylon, and are available in a variety of colors.
• Engine Plugs & Exhaust Covers for Helicopters
Designed to protect sensitive engine areas from foreign object damage, these smaller covers and plugs are designed specifically for each model.
Most items of this type are made of vinyl or nylon material.
Engine plugs are very useful in protecting the engine compartment from nesting birds and insects. They also help keep the engine compartment free of dust and debris.
Engine plugs are made of durable Naugahyde™ vinyl, designed be friction fit in place. They feature a nylon webbing handle, and small REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT streamers. Each plug is embroidered with the aircraft registration number.
Engine plugs come in literally hundreds of shapes and sizes, determined by aircraft year, make and model.
• Helicopter Blade Covers
Helicopter blade covers are intended as a temporary preventative against frost buildup. They are socks which slide over the blade and tighten at the blade root. A zippered type, designed for extreme cold weather, is designed to open up to allow it to dry out periodically.
• Helicopter Rotor Mast Covers
Rotor Mast Covers are used to protect that area from blowing debris, and from general exposure to the elements.
Usually made of heavy Cordura™ nylon, these covers are intended to overlap with blade covers, and with engine covers.
• Helicopter Tail Rotor Covers
Like rotor mast covers, tail rotor covers are designed to protect sensitive mechanical components from the outside environment. They are made of Cordura™ nylon, and enclose the blades, hub and gearbox areas.
• Helicopter Blade Tie-Downs
Blade tie-downs are socks which slip over the blade tips and tie down with rope or webbing to the struts or airframe. They are intended to prevent the blades from excessive movement while parked in windy conditions.
• Helicopter Cover Sets
For more complete protection, covers can be produced in sets to cover the entire aircraft, or major portions of it
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