February 9, 1998 Kennon Wind Spoilers: An Interview with Ron Kensey, President of Kennon Aircraft Covers

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by	Ron Kensey and the Editors of AVweb

About Ron Kensey ... More than a decade ago, Ron Kensey invented the first reflective aircraft sun shields that did not require Velcro or other fastners. His Kennon Sun Shields were an immediate sensation, and he's been on the leading edge of protective covers for aircraft ever since. We've used Ron's covers on our own aircraft for years, and are extremely proud to have Kennon Aircraft Covers as a sponsor of AVweb. You can order any of Kennon's covers and sun shields on-line and help support continued free access to AVweb and AVflash in the process. Kennon Aircraft Covers Other Interviews with Ron Kensey of Kennon Aircraft Covers Wing Covers for Icy Weather Care and Cleaning of Aircraft Covers Kennon Wind Spoilers Engine Covers, the Key to Effective Pre-Heating Wing and Tail Covers for Aircraft Kept Outdoors Keeping Your Cockpit Cool Frequently-Asked Questions About Kennon Products

Ron, tell us about Kennon Wind Spoilers.

Your plane was made to fly.  If the wind is strong enough it will fly...with you or without you.  Tie downs can only hold a flying plane for so long.

When you say flying plane, I get the impression that you are talking about a plane that is off the ground...tethered to its tiedowns.

That is exactly what happens... right before the tiedowns break and the airplane winds up on its back.

So what do you suggest?

We know for a fact that our Spoiler Mesh Wing covers save airplanes from flying without a pilot.   We get letters from grateful customers who share their stories.  One of those stories appeared recently in our article on wing covers.   So we know that slowing down the air movement over the top of the wing will prevent lift.  Your plane simply can't fly with our Spoiler Mesh Wing Covers installed.

In fact, much to my chagrin,  I have had customers tell me that they actually tried to get lift on the runway with our covers on the plane!   They called to say we were right: no matter what airspeed, they couldn't get lift.  Please don't try this at home, folks…it's not a real smart thing to do. I'd much rather hear about how our covers saved planes on the ground during a storm.

So tell us about Kennon Wind Spoilers...

Its the same concept as our Spoiler Mesh Wing Covers.  Except the soft fiber filled spoilers are sewn onto a strip of mesh that attaches around the wing with straps and quick release fasteners. This means you don't have to carry a bulky winter wing cover with you. Also, the Wind Spoilers are quicker to install and remove than the full covers.

A lot more economincal too, we suppose?

Considerably so. The full wing covers cost $295 a set. We are pricing a set of Wind Spoilers at just $89, in hopes that they will eventually be on board every plane that is tied down out of doors.

I'm sure you'd like that.

I'm serious.  A set of Wind Spoilers should be as commonplace as tie down ropes and wheel chocks.  If you are tied down facing into the wind with your Wind Spoilers installed, wouldn't you want the plane upwind of you to also have Wind Spoilers?  More than one customer has told us that since they started using our Spoiler Mesh Wing Covers, their biggest worry is about other guy's plane breaking free from its tiedowns and smashing into theirs during a wind storm.

What are you telling your customers with low-wing aircraft?

The pictures that came in from the recent Florida wind disaster included some pretty heavy low-wings (including twins) that ripped loose from their tiedowns and flipped over. It's not just a problem for high-wing aircraft.

This winter, we are telling all of our customers to expect the unexpected.   Weather conditions are not typical of the conditions that we have seen in the past.  As a Weather Channel junkie, I can tell you that things aren't about to settle down any time soon.

Thanks, Ron.