That darn avionics cover

[Ernie Martin]

I'm on my second 337, I live in Miami, I don't hangar the plane, and I have a two-prong solution that works.

First, I don't use silicone because of what's left behind when you have to remove the cover. Instead I use Vaseline. I put globs of it along the gap and on each screw, and I work it in. Second, I made myself a cover using the neoprene/PVC flexible shower floor liner used below the small mosaic floor tiles (see picture) and keep it secured using 3 bungee cords.

The liner is sold at Home Depot and Lowe's. It's on a roll about 4 feet wide and you cut what you need (about 1.5 feet) to make sure it covers all the way up to the windshield molding.

Here are the positives: it works, it's easy to remove, it's inexpensive. On the negative side, the liner doesn't protect in flight, although that has never been a problem for me, either because the Vaseline is sufficient, the time I spend flying in the rain is generally short, or the airflow keeps much of the rain out.

Ernie

[Skymaster337B]

I suppose Vaseline will work, but I would be afraid of it melting and running. I use clear silione to seal the whole thing...easy to remove and replace too.

[billsheila]

That is what I ended up using for now, but have not yet tried to remove it. You say it is easy. I hope you are right!

[edasmus]

It will come off ok. You may have to work a little, but anything is better then filling up the back of the panel with water. Don't ask me how I know! ;o)

Ed

[sloutitt]

We use a roll of shrink wrap and go once around the plane. In flight we have never noticed any water I think due to the air flow.
Sandy Loutitt,
N81C