What is Oratex?

First of all, I’m not sponsored by Lanitz Aviation – or anyone else... Lanitz Aviation kindly offers me free freight on my orders but are not requesting anything in return. What I’m doing here, on my blog, is sharing my personal experience with this product just like I’m doing for the Simonini engine. 

Oracover used for model aircrafts

Oratex is an aircraft fabric covering system, produced by Lanitz Aviation, similar to what has been used for covering model aircrafts for a long time. It looks like a fabric textured colored plastic film, it is ironed-on using a water based heat activated clue and need no further treatment or painting.

In reality is an extremely strong (high tech) coated polyester fabric developed for general aviation. Oratex UL600 is lighter than traditional aircraft covering systems 90 to 120 g/m² all inclusive (depending on color) and the difference might be several kg even for a smaller aircraft. I assume that this is one of the reasons why the Solar Impulse design team chose Oratex fabric as the cover material...    

No dope, no paint, no sanding, no harmful chemical exposure, no smell and no fire hazard. I will be able to do the tail plane and rudders in my office and no problems to turn on the heater and close the doors when doing the fuselage and the wings in my workshop!

No paint that will peel off, no cracks, not flammable and easy to repair even in the field. 

For more information: The North American distributor of Oratex has a very informative website where you can find more information and some videos. Try also Lanitz Aviation's website and searching Oratex on YouTube .