Cessna 172 & 175 Models (T-41, T-41A/C Mescalero): Aircraft Covers from Bruce's Custom Covers

Canopy covers help reduce damage to your airplane's upholstery and avionics caused by excessive heat, and they can eliminate problems caused by leaky door and window seals. They keep the windshield and window surfaces clean and help prevent vandalism and theft.

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The Cessna 172 Canopy Cover is designed to fit tightly with a minimum number of snaps installed on the airplane. Enclosing the windshield, side and rear window area, this is a one-piece design which wraps around the canopy and closes with Velcro behind the pilot's side door. By peeling open the Velcro closure, one can enter the airplane without removing the entire cover. The belly strap cover design fastens with two belly straps and 2 snaps placed above the windshield in existing screwholes in the leading edge wing root fairings. The snaps on the cover are fitted on straps at the attachment corners. These straps are adjustable in length so the cover can be fitted for perfect tightness.

The Over-the-Top Canopy Cover also covers the top of the canopy. This cover is custom made to fit around any antennae, and velcro closures behind the doors on both sides. To keep the sides of the cover from sagging, special tightening straps are sewn onto the upper hem on each side. To insure the most secure fit, high quality bungee cord is enclosed in the hem of the cover. This cord is also adjustable for tightness. Complete installation instructions and parts are included with each cover.

Each canopy cover is custom sewn and trimmed in the colors of the airplane. A duffle bag is also provided. For an extra charge the airplane's registration number can be embroidered onto both sides of the cover.

Each canopy cover is made of nylon Silver Laminate. Bruce's Custom Covers developed Silver Laminate especially for aircraft protection. The outer material is a medium weight nylon treated for ultraviolet resistance and anti-static buildup. The inner lining is brushed nylon tricot knit. Silver Laminate is extremely reflective. Tests show that the cabin interior temperature can be reduced by as much as 25 degrees (25° F.). It is water, ice and snow repellent, yet it is breathable enough to allow moisture to escape from between the cover and the windshield surface. Silver Laminate contains no hydrocarbon compounds which can harm plexiglass windshields and acrylic finishes.

Engine Inlet Plugs are "pillows" sewn of heavy duty vinyl material and stuffed with a single block of urethane foam. A zipper in the back of each plug allows the foam to be removed and dried if necessary. Engine plugs have warning flags which stick up above the cowl line, visible from the cockpit. Most plugs are embroidered with the aircraft registration number, done in black, about 1" high.

The Engine Cover is made of Silver Laminate like the Canopy Cover. It encloses the entire engine cowling area and Velcro's closed beneath the prop spinner. It is attached with a belly strap aft of the firewall, and with Velcro to the Canopy Cover.

The Propellor Cover is a one-piece form fit design which slips over the blades and spinner. The cover zips together along the bottom edge of the blade covers. The Propellor Cover is made of Silver Laminate.

Wing Covers and Horizontal Stabilizer Covers are form-fit to slip over the wing tip and secure with straps under the wing. Wing Covers are made of medium weight nylon, and come with a storage bag.

The Empennage Cover is a one-piece cover made to cover the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, as well as the tail area aft of the Canopy Cover. The cover attaches with Velcro to the aft edge of the Canopy Cover, and with straps underneath the belly. The cover is pulled back over the vertical stabilizer and a zipper is closed at the trailing edge of the rudder. The cover is then stretched over the elevators and zippered closed along the bottom elevator surfaces. There are also some straps under the elevators. The Empennage Cover is made of medium weight nylon.

HeatShield Interior Reflectors are made of a special laminate of metallized polyester film and closed cell foam. Less than 1/8" thick, the reflector is stiff enough when flat to stand up against the windshield using the sunvisors and window framing only. On some designs Velcro fasteners are necessary. HeatShields roll up and store in a sleeve, yet retain a memory to be flat whenever they are needed. HeatShields are an excellent short-term remedy for cockpit overheating, but the Canopy Cover offers a more effective and practical solution.