Tips and Tricks on Winter Flying

Now that temperatures around northern Indiana are beginning to sink into the 30’s and even 20’s it is evident that winter is fast approaching. The changes in seasons also bring about different flying conditions for pilots both good and bad. Everyone is mainly happy that they no longer have to clean bugs off the windshield but that is beside the point. Some pilots consider winter to be the best flying time of the year, while others dread the notion of flying in the frigid and sometimes dangerous terrain.

While it can be unpleasant pre-flighting the aircraft with arctic winds blowing snow into your face, once the engine is warmed up and the cabin heat is pumping in warm air, flying the aircraft can be a very pleasant experience. Cooler temperatures make the air less dense and therefore generate better performance from the engine. This produces greater horsepower and faster cooling of the engine. The wings also develop more lift and combined with the good engine performance will give you an exceptional climb rate. Cruising in flight is also more enjoyable due to the fact that there is generally less turbulence than the summer, even with higher winds. Clear air turbulence is the main exception to this, but without the strong thermals and temperature inversions it makes for a much smoother flight.

Every pilot has one main concern during the winter and that is starting the airplane with a cold engine. Storing the plane in a heated hangar usually prevents too many issues unless it is left outside too long after pre-flight. A space heater can also come in handy to warm up a cold engine before attempting to start it and also melts any moisture that may be present in the engine. The wings and tail of the airplane also need to be checked thoroughly for ice and frost because it can disrupt airflow and cause the airplane to stall almost immediately after takeoff. Once airborne, pilots need to be watchful centrally around the engine temperature. The mixture should be leaned enough to peak exhaust gas temperature, and in a normally aspirated engine, carburetor heat should be applied in any sign of engine roughness.

After a successful flight it is always a good idea to fill the fuel tanks up to full to prevent any moisture from getting into the tanks and freezing. If certain steps are taken during the winter, flying will be worth the extra work and in certain areas the scenery can be breathtaking.