Preparing an Aircraft for Long-Term Storage
An aircraft that will sit for months needs more than parking. Left unprepared, engines corrode internally, fuel degrades, tires flat-spot, and moisture and pests do quiet damage. A proper storage preparation protects all of that, so the aircraft is ready, and safe, when you come back to it. Here are the essentials, always guided by your aircraft's maintenance manual.
Preparing an aircraft for long-term storage means protecting the engine, the fuel and fluids, and the airframe from moisture and pests. The engine is preserved against internal corrosion (per the manufacturer's procedure, which may involve preservative oil and desiccant), fuel is managed to limit degradation and condensation, the battery is removed or maintained, tires are inflated and protected from flat-spotting, and every opening, pitot, static ports, intakes, exhaust, is covered to keep out moisture, insects and birds. Covers, desiccant and a dry hangar keep humidity at bay. The exact steps depend on the aircraft and the storage length, so always follow the aircraft's maintenance manual and manufacturer guidance.
Engine, fuel and fluids
| Engine, fuel and fluids | Following the maintenance manual |
|---|---|
| Engine, fuel and fluids | The engine is the priority, because The engine is the priority, because internal corrosion from moisture is the classic damage of a stored aircraft. is the classic damage of a stored aircraft. Manufacturers specify preservation procedures for different storage durations, from simply flying regularly, up to preservative oil, desiccant plugs and sealing for longer storage. Fuel and fluids need attention too: managing the fuel to limit degradation and condensation in the tanks, and checking oil and other fluids per the manual. Follow the manufacturer's timeline for the length of storage. |
Battery, tires and moving parts
- Battery: remove it, or keep it maintained on a charger, so it doesn't discharge and degrade.
- Tires: keep them properly inflated and move or reposition the aircraft periodically to avoid flat spots.
- Controls and seals: exercise and protect per the manual so seals don't dry out.
- Lubrication: address points the manual calls out for storage.
Sealing the openings
- Every opening is a way in for moisture, insects and birds. Cover and plug the pitot tube, static ports, engine intakes and exhaust, fuel vents and any other openings, using proper, clearly flagged covers so nothing is forgotten before the next flight. A wasp nest in a pitot tube or a bird in an intake is a real hazard, and covers prevent it. Cabin and canopy covers keep sun and moisture off the interior.
- Finally, control the environment. Desiccant inside the cabin and engine, a clean and dry aircraft, and a dry, ventilated hangar all limit the humidity that drives corrosion, and an inland location reduces salt exposure on top of that (see humidity, salt air and corrosion). Keep pests out of the hangar and the aircraft. And remember the flags: every cover and plug must be removed and checked at a thorough pre-flight before the aircraft flies again. GFTS Hangars provides inland aircraft storage in Southwest Florida suited to keeping aircraft over the long term.
Hangar space in Southwest FloridaGFTS Hangars offers aircraft hangar sales, rental and storage at Immokalee in Southwest Florida, an inland location away from the coastal salt air that drives corrosion, with hurricane-built structures. Talk to us about buying, leasing or storing an aircraft, and we will walk you through the options for your aircraft and your budget.
Frequently asked questions
How do you prepare an aircraft for long-term storage?
Preserve the engine against internal corrosion per the manufacturer's procedure, manage fuel and fluids, remove or maintain the battery, keep tires inflated and avoid flat spots, cover and plug all openings, and use desiccant and a dry hangar to control moisture. Always follow the aircraft's maintenance manual for the storage length.Why do you cover the pitot tube and openings for storage?
To keep out moisture, insects and birds. A wasp nest in a pitot tube or a bird in an intake is a genuine flight hazard, so every opening is covered or plugged with clearly flagged covers, which must be removed and checked at pre-flight before the aircraft flies again.What happens to an aircraft engine in storage?
Without preparation, moisture causes internal corrosion, which is the classic damage of a stored aircraft. Manufacturers specify preservation procedures, from regular running up to preservative oil, desiccant and sealing, depending on how long the aircraft will sit. Follow the manual for the storage duration.
Hangar space in Southwest Florida
GFTS Hangars offers aircraft hangar sales, rental and storage at Immokalee in Southwest Florida, an inland location away from the coastal salt air that drives corrosion, with hurricane-built structures. Talk to us about buying, leasing or storing an aircraft, and we will walk you through the options for your aircraft and your budget.
gftshangars.com · sales · rental · storage · Southwest Florida
