Oratex

[Tom Downey]

Has anyone use it?

http://www.betteraircraftfabric.com

[rwanttaja]

Had a long thread on this topic about six months back:

http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?6634-Oratex-how-common

There's a guy finishing up a Fly Baby, he seems pretty happy with it. The only real drawback seems to be price....but of course, that depends on how much your time is worth.

Ron Wanttaja

[crusty old aviator]

Once you get over the sticker shock, it's wonderful stuff, and they just received FAA approval this summer for use on certificated aircraft. All the costs are up front with this system, that's why it seems so expensive, but you don't have to wait for a dry day, or a warm enough day, heck, you can apply the fabric anywhere because there's no fumes with this system. The only liquid is the glue and it's water based, so no nasty fumes. It takes a bit of practice to get the heating and pulling the fabric around the airframe coordinated, but you can rough cut out the shapes of the tail feathers and use the scrap pieces to practice with before you start on the real thing. You can use an ordinary heat gun, but Oratex sells a digitally controlled one that takes the guesswork out of what the temp really is and it sure gives me peace of mind (I use my IR temp gun to verify my iron temps). The materials cost is higher with this system, but the labor cost is about half to a third and there's no waiting on weather, no paint booth shenanigans, no runs, sags, nor orange peel. The only shortcoming is the color selection is a bit limited, but you can paint over it, provided the weather is good...

[martymayes]

Once you get over the sticker shock, it's wonderful stuff, and they just received FAA approval this summer for use on certificated aircraft.

On any certificated aircraft?

[crusty old aviator]

By any, I assume you mean any fabric covered, certificated aircraft. I understand the FAA approval is based on the EU approval, which basically approves Oratex for a substitute for Dacron polyester fabric, cotton, and Razorback, and all the assorted finishing systems out there. There is no STC yet, and may never be, but there is some verbiage (that I don't have in front of me right now-what lousy timing!) that goes on the Form 337, eliminating the need for a field approval. And no, neither do I have the ICA verbiage in front of me, right now...

[gbrasch]

Once you get over the sticker shock, it's wonderful stuff, and they just received FAA approval this summer for use on certificated aircraft..

Sorry, but you are wrong, it is not yet approved for certified aircraft in the US, per the company website.

[crusty old aviator]

Their website needs updating. Herr Lanitz was at Oshkosh this year and he showed me the approval letter he'd just received from the FAA. They may have to get their distribution process with betteraircraftfabric in Alaska (traceability, etc.) FAA compliant before they can start selling it for certificated use, though.

[gbrasch]

Their website needs updating. Herr Lanitz was at Oshkosh this year and he showed me the approval letter he'd just received from the FAA. They may have to get their distribution process with betteraircraftfabric in Alaska (traceability, etc.) FAA compliant before they can start selling it for certificated use, though.

I spoke with Pail from the factory about his product and this thread. I am forwarding this to him, and he will explain where they are at with certification over the weekend.

[crusty old aviator]

Thanks, Glenn! This is a pretty cool system and I'm interested to learn when I can start recovering certified aircraft with it, with similar documentation to using Pollywollydoodlefiber.

[gbrasch]

I thought the man from the factory would have responded by now, but he sounded pretty busy. In a nutshell, he told me there are about 12 certified aircraft currently approved by the FAA, except they are all gliders and most if not all were out of the country. They submitted a list of over 100 aircraft to the FAA for approval, and are waiting on that. Who knows how long that could take. Hope that helps.

[Lars Gleitsmann]

STC Number:
SA03819NY


Description of the Type Design Change:
Installation of Oratex 6000 covering system


Status:
Issued, 10/20/2016


TC Number -- Make -- Model:
A9SW -- Air Tractor, Inc. -- AT-250
A9SW -- Air Tractor, Inc. -- AT-300
A9SW -- Air Tractor, Inc. -- AT-301
A9SW -- Air Tractor, Inc. -- AT-302
A9SW -- Air Tractor, Inc. -- AT-400
A9SW -- Air Tractor, Inc. -- AT-400A
A22NM -- Aviat Aircraft Inc -- A-1
A22NM -- Aviat Aircraft Inc -- A-1A
A22NM -- Aviat Aircraft Inc -- A-1B
A22NM -- Aviat Aircraft Inc -- A-1C-180
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4-180V
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4-210
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4-210C
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4-220C
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4-220S
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4C
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4S
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-4T
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-5-180C
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-5-210C
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-5-235C
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-6-235
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-7-235
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- M-7-235B
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MT-7-235
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MX-7-180
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MX-7-180A
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MX-7-180B
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MX-7-180C
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MX-7-235
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MXT-7-160
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MXT-7-180
3A23 -- Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. -- MXT-7-180A
A30EU -- Zlin Aircraft a.s. -- Zlin 526L

Regards from Alaska!

[C130jake]

Lars,

Any idea on PA12/18s? A couple of my buddies and I just purchased a PA12. It may need recover in the next three years or so. Fuselage may get redone next spring with a gross weight upgrade depending on finances. I would think with Huskies and Muals, supercubs would be a no-brainer for the FAA.

Jake

[Jim Heffelfinger]

http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?6634-Oratex-how-common&highlight=Oratex

[Jim Heffelfinger]

Netflix Plane Resurrection
https://www.netflix.com/watch/80133196?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C2%2Cd3ba389f-4178-4c43-b56d-be75741b6e9d-140281087

On installment #3 - the DR1 replica

[Lars Gleitsmann]

Hi to All,
Oratex is now certified in the USA for Pipers, Stinsons, Aeronca Chief's, all Maules and Huskies, too.
We have also gotten Field approvals for types not yet on the AML.
We now also have a more interactive presence on Facebook as a public Group " BetterAircraftFabric " where we showcase planes and the use of the product. Customers are posting there as well...
Best Regards from Alaska,
Lars