Hey everyone, I got a question and since I'm kinda new here I knew I wouldn't get laughed at.


My house is too small to store planes. I have no basement, and no attic. I thought about purchasing one of those cheap tin sheds like from home depot that you put together yourself. They are waterproof to an extend that no rain will get in but since there is no floor, Im sure it stays kinda damp when it rains.

im more concerned with the climate. We live in northern GA, and it gets in the 90s in the summer and in the teens in the winter. How does this harm (if any) planes. Im not really worried about the engine since its built to adjust to temps anyway (except for cold but I can heat it with a heat gun before flying). Im worried about the monokote and such on the plane.

Your thoughts?

You live a little bit further south than me, but it is safe to say we have the same climate. Storing planes in the building that you mentioned will be fine as long as moisture is not an issue. Plastic covering will expand/shrink throughout its lifetime no matter how it is stored. It can always be re-shrunk after a long storage period. As for the building, you can easily build a floor out of plywood on top of the floor kit that you can get with them. The best part is, if you look at a Sears or Home depot sale paper (usually in the local newspaper) you will most likely see a coupon for a free floor kit with the purchase of a building!

I'm sure that everyone will tell you it's OK...

However I find that:

- Balsa absorbs water and can develope mildew and rot if it gets damp.
- Little "critters" just love to eat balsa...

Especially mice, I have had to remove the covering on wings just to dump out several cups of dog food that mice decided to store inside.
I have one of those cheap sheds and part of the build instructions required a plywood floor, at least the one I bought.

I store mine in my unconditioned basement, and they do well.

If you're gonna store them in a shed, I'd recommend you try to do the following:

Pick a raised area of land to build the shed on. If none are available, get a small load of crushed rock or free draining soil in to build a pad to put the shed on, about 5-6" high. This will eliminate the possibility of standing water inside or under the shed.

Build a pressure treated base for the shed. This lets you raise your floor so it's not in contact with the ground.

Install a floor in the shed. If you don't want to buy the floor kit, just use some exterior grade plywood and your ingenuity to make one. A sheet of vapour barrier under the shed floor (even staple gunned to the bottom of the plywood flooring) will prevent ground moisture from entering your shed.

Anchor the shed to the pressure treated base. If you're in an exposed high wind area, consider driving some anchors in to keep things put.

When you build the shed, caulk any seams that aren't sealed. Be sure the shed has some ventilation at roof level. This could be soffet vents (vents under the roof edges, like many houses) or gable vents. At least 2 would be best to ensure ventilation, as always one needs an inlet and an outlet.

Be sure there are no gaps larger than 1/2" in the walls, floors or doors. Mice will get in them. Mice like shelter. Mice eat anything. Seal gaps with whatever is necessary. If you use spray foam or something similar, put stainless steel wool (pot scrubbers) in first, then foam. Mice won't chew thru that stuff.

Try to keep the planes off the floor. Think wall and ceiling racks, if possible.

A light colored shed and roof will vary in temperature less than a dark one.

Basically, you need to prevent water and pest entry. Water comes from the ground or the sky, and pests come from anywhere. Ventilation and color choice will help stabilize the climate inside a bit, and let any moisture that does get in to get out.

Make sure you check out local building code and permit requirements, as this sort of thing is one place where begging forgiveness may not be easier than asking permission, if you know what I mean.

One last thing. Consider installing at least one light in the shed, as you may find yourself returning home after dark, when flying to dusk, and it's hard not to hangar rash planes in the dark!

Good luck,

J

The climate I live in ..it's a bit extrem compair to yours.

Mild winter...70 - 80.
Or I just get spring and summer,summer.
The huminity here can be extreem during the summer months too.

Even if you keep it in your house..the climate changes in your home will effect it.
Not as drastic but it'll still effect it.

I play guitar.. i store those indoors and try to protect them as much as i can.
However...i still have to adjust the truss rod on the necks every so often becuase the neck
gets wrap due to changes in climate conditions in the house.

Of course another option is to purchase a used ( or new ) 12ft trailer and let it do double duty for you...

Plane storage in the cold months and then to haul you planes to the field...

Once you start getting into larger planes, this will be a VERY good thing.

Just make sure you anchor it down good, I had one that the wind blew across the field...

i wouldnt store one outside in the area i live in VA BEACH,but if you have no other choice put it on hard wood pallets and a decent layer of poly before you build the shed on it.