Raytheon T6A Texan II Trainer (JPATS): Aircraft Covers from Bruce's Custom Covers

PROTECTIVE COVERS AND RELATED ITEMS FOR THE "JPATS" TRAINER, T6-A

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The JPATS Canopy Cover helps reduce damage to the airplane's avionics and interior caused by excessive heat, and it can eliminate problems caused by a leaky or open canopy seal. A canopy cover keeps the windshield and window surfaces clean and help prevent vandalism and theft.

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. 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.

The JPATS Engine Inlet Plug is made of red vinyl material. A zipper in the back of the plug is used to stuff the single block of flexible foam into the vinyl casing. A webbing handle and "Remove Before Flight" streamer is sewn onto the face.

The Extended Canopy Cover is similar to the standard Canopy Cover, except that it extends down to the wing root and overlaps with the Wing Covers, Engine Cover and Empennage Cover. It features a shock-cord hem and fore and aft belly straps which are detachable and adjustable from either side. The Extended Canopy Cover can be made to overlap and attach with Velcro to the Engine Cover and Empennage Cover. The Extended Canopy Cover is made of Silver Laminate, and comes with a storage bag.

The Engine Cover encloses the engine area from the firewall forward. The cover closes around the prop shaft behind the spinner, and a Velcro closure runs down to the front of the nose gear door. A belly strap near the firewall helps holds the cover on, and it also attaches to the front edge of the Canopy Cover with another Velcro closure. The Engine Cover is made of Silver Laminate.

The Wing 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 design 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 then is pulled 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.

Horizontal Stabilizer Covers are a simpler two-piece design for the elevators only. The covers slip on and tighten with straps along the underside of the horizontal stabilizers. Horizontal Stabilizer Covers are made of medium weight nylon.

The T6A Hail Protection Cover is a type of "trampoline"design, using synthetic mesh netting, pulled tight and suspended above the aircraft surfaces. The cover is pulled tight with pockets at the wingtips and horizontal stabilizer tips. Where the mesh cover comes closer than 2.5" to the aircraft surface, special bubblepack pads, 1.5-2" thick, will be inserted into pockets to prevent hail damage in that area. These bubblepack pads will be removable and replaceable should hail damage occur to them. The bubblepack will be of the reusable type, with an estimated inflated time of 2 years. This bubblepack will also be protected by a canvas envelope of either nylon or acrylic canvas. Pads are designed into the wingtips, horizontal stabilizer tips, upper canopy surface, rudder tip, forward engine cowling and prop spinner areas. The bubblepack pad on the upper canopy surface has a soft underlayment of brushed tricot knit nylon, similar to the type used for aircraft plexiglass protection. The mesh itself is a vinyl-coated nylon type, commonly used for awnings, shades and outdoor furniture. The weight of the Hail Protection Cover, including the duffle bag, is approximately 45 pounds.

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.