I have a friend who kept his Cirrus outside in the Washington DC area for 10 years. Logistically, he really had no choice. He recently had a beautiful repaint by Ross & Co. I admit it seems a shame to leave it outside – and he thought so too. But he did not feel too bad because when he did the math the savings on hangar rental easily paid for the 10-year re-paint, and then some.
Now, his plane looks better than new. Good for another 10 years or more!
Being a mostly composite Airframe corrosion issues are less common than other airframes. Only a few parts have shown any problems with corrosion. Flap pylons are one, but only in very corrosive environments.
UV is a larger concern. The composite materials it is constructed of can be damaged by it. For example, there is a minimum thickness required for the paint to protect it. Sometimes a hangar is so uneconomical a paint job every 10 years is cheaper as Jim pointed out. A cover is a smart idea.
My SR20 was outside for 10 years before the Midwest magical makeover (all new paint, all new interior).
A tiedown at VNY is $300/mo. A regular hangar is $1,000/mo. Over 10 years, that’s $84,000 more for a hangar, which was more than double my Midwest makeover.
Also, my plane was on leaseback, which is not conducive to pulling in and out of a remote hangar on each flight several times a day.
Note: I’m now off leaseback, have a cheap sub-let hangar, and am very happy [;)]
I totally understand keeping it outside for the money saving vs a hangar…My question is why would an owner keep it outside with no cover? That is what does not make sense…laziness perhaps?
