Winterizing the plane
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Glens o' Angus by way of LA
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Winterizing the plane
What preparations, if any, do you guys make for cold weather flying when temps get into the minus area? What's the general opinion on changing the oil grade used over the winter to better match the temps on Lycomings if indeed there is such a thing?
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: chicago
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you might use the heater more often, so why not make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector?
perhaps slightly higher chance of exposure to CO with use
also make sure the heater and defogger are working well.
also might put a blanket, waterproof matches in the cargo compartment in case you go down
always consider the chance that rain at the surface might work itself into the control paths and when go higher it might freeze...happened to me on a seneca
perhaps slightly higher chance of exposure to CO with use
also make sure the heater and defogger are working well.
also might put a blanket, waterproof matches in the cargo compartment in case you go down
always consider the chance that rain at the surface might work itself into the control paths and when go higher it might freeze...happened to me on a seneca
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I preheat (Tanis) when the temps are below 40F and I use Phillips 20W50 oil all year (with CamGuard). I also tape over half of my oil cooler with duct tape to keep the oil temp around 180. Other than that, I always carry survival gear.
I don't fly without spats
Other than starting a Lycoming with the primer out if much below zero, I can't think of anything at even the coldest Scottish temperatures. The coldest I've ever heard on Inverness ATIS was -17 when night flying in one of the rare very cold winters. We use Shell multi all year round in the O-200. We rarely have starting problems.
Winterising the pilot in a draughty Jodel 1050 is another story.
I would avoid leaving the plane outside overnight in winter if at all possible.
Off-topic, but I can't help remembering the story of an Italian high-glosh car of the 1930's or so ((it must have been a Lamborghini, or perhaps a Maserati, or such)), which was delivered with the usual set of accessories like a jack and engine crank and what not, and also two large copper tubs. The evening before a winter ride, one was supposed to drain the engine oil in one tub, the radiator coolant in the other, then put both on the kitchen stove overnight.Come morning, drain both tubs into the car and start the engine right away. Those were the days!
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Hi, Batteries take a real bashing in cold weather, and if you can arrange for them to be trickle-charged between flights so much the better.
The scenario is something like this... The cold will reduce the performance of the battery, and the engine will be stiffer to crank, turning at a slow speed. This slow speed draws more current out of the battery, so the voltage falls even more, and soon depletes the already low capacity.
The reason why more current is used, is that during summer heatwaves, the cranking speed is so high that more 'back emf' is produced by the starter motor, therefore less current. Also the engine is more likely to start first time when hot.
To ensure the lightest load on the starter in the cold weather, check out which is the best oil to use, a multigrade such as 15W50 aeroshell is often quoted for Cessna aircraft.
The scenario is something like this... The cold will reduce the performance of the battery, and the engine will be stiffer to crank, turning at a slow speed. This slow speed draws more current out of the battery, so the voltage falls even more, and soon depletes the already low capacity.
The reason why more current is used, is that during summer heatwaves, the cranking speed is so high that more 'back emf' is produced by the starter motor, therefore less current. Also the engine is more likely to start first time when hot.
To ensure the lightest load on the starter in the cold weather, check out which is the best oil to use, a multigrade such as 15W50 aeroshell is often quoted for Cessna aircraft.
... one was supposed to drain the engine oil ...
It's not really off-topic. Bush pilots in Canada and Alaska still do that if they don't have cowling insulation blankets and electric heaters, when parked in the open.
Last edited by India Four Two; 16th Dec 2013 at 07:24. Reason: Added location
If we had the spats on, I'd take them off. Mud/slush could freeze in flight
and lock the wheels.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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It's not really off-topic. Bush pilots in Canada and Alaska still do that if they don't have cowling insulation blankets and electric heaters, when parked in the open.
From that comment, I'll assume that you haven't laid on your back in the cold and wet, washing the muck from the underside of a Jodel's wings
I've never had frozen muck lock the wheels when landing either.
Your assumption is wrong - but I've very rarely done that. Usually I've put
tyres and a cushion down, and two of us tipped the tail so the nose sat on them.
Then we washed it.
