Very interesting comments so far in the covering debate!
On an engineering basis, i.e., strength (resistance to tearing shear or puncture), weight, UV resistance, repairability,
ease of application, etc., Oratex has it all over the other systems and by fairly large margins.
Only the long term durability question remains to be addressed with more field data, although there are
some planes flying for ten years in Oratex.
Since the lack of STC does not apply to experimental, one wonders why people still are not using it more.
Rinker suggests that lack of a factory-applied glossy coat is a reason for some. The Oratex guys say you can spray glossy topcoats over
the factory matte finish. Strikes me as kind of a weird reason though - do yo really want a SuperSTOL to look at, or to fly like a
aerial dirt bike and get dirty? I know quite a few experts in covering aircraft (as I'll explain below), and many of them (but not all)
just want to stick with what they have been using for decades. It reminds my of the reasons IT consultant used to recommend IBM
PCs to businesses instead of Macs - it was to ensure a steady stream of work maintaining and supporting PCs. They would starve if everyone had Macs. Then there is conservatism - people just don't want to change from what they know. I have a good friend who
has been an outstanding professional pilot for more than 50 years, military, airline, corporate, and has an FAA Wright Brother Award to
prove it. He owns three classic aircraft each over fifty years old and flies them regularly. He won't fly in my Rotax-powered homebuilt
because the engine turns too fast! Facts, data and modern metallurgy are not relevant and don't apply.
I volunteer with a program at my airpark which teaches high school kids to restore and fly classic aircraft (
http://www.peachstateaero.com/museum-youth-program/). Since we work on certificated airframes (cubs, champs, supercuts, etc.), and the owner of the museum is the former owner of Polyfiber and Stits, we use polyfiber and ceconite. We get a "very" good price on
the materials and have incredible local expertise! Still, the calibrated irons, the multiple coats of chemicals, brushed and sprayed, etc.,
are just tedious.
I've learned a fair bit about covering and finishing (by doing with the kids), and all I can say is when I get around to building my own Just, its got to be Oratex. My current plane is finished in Dupont Imron with clear coat, but then it's a swoopy fiberglass Europa, and I paid a professional to paint it. I ain't crazy about cyanide, thank you very much!
Cheers,
Ira