I used Oratex to cover my Belite Ultracub and I had very good results. I chose to paint the covering because I wanted a specific design, and I made a couple mistakes with the adhesive (totally my fault) but the method is quite easy and finish turned out great. I recommend it to people all the time.
Last edited by Scoundrel; 03-05-2016 at 12:52 PM. Reason: Added a picture
Some more planes covered in it... food for thought.
Lars, all the photos you've posted are for non-certified aircraft, all which are legal in the USA to be covered with Oratex, except for the Super Cub: did that get a one-time only STC (field approval)?
That's some good airplane porn......
Hi, The FAA is flat out denying any Field Approvals of any kind of Aircraft Fabric since all the Ceconite STC's were done; "its National Policy" I was told. The USA is about the ONLY meaningful country where Oratex is not approved. The Canadian Approval took only 4 month and they only had reasonable questions and the New Zealand approval took like 3 weeks with some local NZ testing that they wanted to see it with their own eyes...Originally Posted by crusty old aviator
So, we are still working with the FAA on this...
But I sure think it is disgusting to deny field approvals of Orphaned antique planes that were certified even before CAR-3 existed etc...
The "Super Cub" is not a super Cub PA18 at all. Like the black one is the one-of-a-kind 250hp Glacier Cub, "the Instant Valdez Winner" of Breeden fame! The white Cub on the other page is the first flyable "Javron Cub" the wonderful Kitplane produced in great quality by Jay Rossier; This one in Oratex was build by Larry Vetterman of the good Exhaust-company fame!
Best Regards from Alaska!
Lars
P.S.: Meanwhile in Canada any Piper or Maule is legal to cover in Oratex6000
Last edited by Lars Gleitsmann; 03-11-2016 at 04:43 AM.
So maybe I should post "Under Construction photos" instead ... (hehe)
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Hello- I am just finishing a Wittman Tailwind and hope to do first engine start in 2 weeks with first flight in April. After much research and evaluation, I decided to use Oratex and am very happy that I did. I evaluated the cost, the weight, the strength and the health aspects and decided it made alot of sense. I have had no experience with covering a real airplane so did not have to relearn anything. When I considered the cost of equipment and building a paint booth and all the labor of sanding, I think the cost was a "wash". I found it easy to use and got very good support from Lars. I made up a sample panel and put it out in the weather and sun in Wisconsin for about 8 months and found no change in it. I especially enjoyed doing the tail surfaces in my house basement and did not have to worry about fumes etc. I did learn quite a few things and would do a better job next time but I think it turned out just fine. I will try to post some pictures and will also post a link to a video that I will do on first engine start.
Keith.
The Belite that is covered in oratex had a hard off field landing. Doing this caused some of this oratex to rip. I asked this man if those rips or tears, if you tried to rip it more did it tear or rip easy. He said it rips or tears easy after the first tear or rip. Not good..
Tony
It shouldn't be all that different from any other fabric; I believe Oratex uses pretty much the same base polyester fabric as Poly-Fiber or other processes.
My airplane is covered in Ceconite. It does not rip easy even if it has been ripped. The key word here would be { Easy }.
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