182 Vent Plugs?

KE5BM

KE5BM

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Jul 15, 2023
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Ross
This might be a stupid question….

Can you plug the air vent ports on a Skylane’s wings for winter flying?

Our club Skylane is a little beat up so none of the air vents really seal and the doors allow for some air to get through a little more than normal. In the interest of containing heat in the cabin during winter flights, is there anything that would prevent one from plugging or covering the wing inlets? Thinking aluminum tape smoothed over the vents so as to not reduce (maybe even slightly improve) wing efficiency.
 
Painters tape works for me.
 
I don't see why not. We did it to the 206 and 207 during winter in Alaska, and gained 30 KIA.

Ok, maybe not the speed increase, but it did stop air from blowing in and kept it a little warmer inside.
 
I tape over all 4 air intakes on my wings with white 3M duct tape every winter. It lasts all winter.
 
Zeldman said:
I don't see why not. We did it to the 206 and 207 during winter in Alaska, and gained 30 KIA.

Ok, maybe not the speed increase, but it did stop air from blowing in and kept it a little warmer inside.
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Making the time go by faster is nearly as good as making the plane go faster.
 
Gary Ward said:
I tape over all 4 air intakes on my wings with white 3M duct tape every winter. It lasts all winter.
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Does it leave adhesive residue when removed?
 
GeorgeC said:
Does it leave adhesive residue when removed?
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Duct tape tends to do so. WD40 or GooGone/GoofOff takes care of that.

I haven’t done the tape on the holes, but had tape residue from keeping the wires from prop balancing in-place.
 
Thank you all for your insight. That's kinda what I figured but wanted to make sure. In looking at the 182Q POH it appeared that both wing inlets are piped straight to the overhead vents and cabin heat comes in only through the dash but I wanted to be sure. I have a roll of aluminum tape that is specifically used in some aviation applications and doesn't leave much, if any residue. Sounds like that will be the ticket for a long cross-country in the winter time. I hear avgas makes a good solvent for getting the reside off, too. (That's a joke for legal reasons)
 
GeorgeC said:
Does it leave adhesive residue when removed?
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It does if you don't use a little heat to remove them.
I also have jug of adhesive remover that I use on many projects that works great and is safe to use if there is some left behind.
You do run the risk of paint lifting off with duct tape also if you pull it off cold.
Don't ask how I know.
Painters tape maybe better? I would worry about it coming off in snow and rain.
 
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KE5BM said:
I hear avgas makes a good solvent for getting the reside off, too. (That's a joke for legal reasons)
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I'm curious about what legal issues you think could be faced if it wasn't a joke?
 
EPA doesn't like it. Back when wrenching on dc-3, dc-4, twin beech etc, every sump on the plane was a hand wash station. Very few infections if there was a cut involved. The purple gas would leave your forearms pretty dry though.
 
I have used duct tape. However, isn't there a vent that provides cooling air for the avionics? I seem to remember doing this on a plane a long time ago and stuff on the panel got hot; but my memory.....

Who's the EPA?:)
 
EPA has nothing on MADEP (Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection)
 
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