Cold weather flying...

Snaggletooth

Snaggletooth

Line Up and Wait
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May 9, 2009
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Texas
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Dustin
Here in the next few days I'll be going up for a Flight, but the forecast calls for temps of 40-36f degrees (depending on where you look).

I've never flown in that cold of weather before so, what will I have to be looking for during preflight/in Flight, due to the colder temps? I'm guessing the chances of Carb Ice will go up? Maybe a lower than normal operating temperature for a bit?
 
Snaggletooth said:
Here in the next few days I'll be going up for a Flight, but the forecast calls for temps of 40-36f degrees (depending on where you look).

I've never flown in that cold of weather before so, what will I have to be looking for during preflight/in Flight, due to the colder temps? I'm guessing the chances of Carb Ice will go up? Maybe a lower than normal operating temperature for a bit?
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From where I am sitting it still does not look like you are going to be flying in cold WX. Our high this past weekend was 9F. Last winter I was shooting an approach with OATs at -22C. THAT'S COLD WX!!:D

The big thing is that when it is colder you are likely to have the heat running. Be aware of CO poisoning. You may see a performance issue too. But it is usually for the better in flight. Sometimes your engine is a little harder to get going when it is cold. But at those temps I would not expect a whole lot of issues.
 
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Carb icing will probably be less of a concern in the cold weather than in the summer. If I'm remembering correctly carb ice is formed when the moisture in the air is rapidly cooled in the carb throat. If it's real cold there is less moisture in the air so carb ice is less of a concern.
 
I went up last Friday when it was in the 30's. The worst part was shoveling some snow from in front of the hangar and getting the plane started. If you can get the engine preheated, that will make things easier. Airplanes love flying in cold, dry air. My 152 seems like jet fighter in the winter compared to its performance in the summer.
 
wpierce said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Carb icing will probably be less of a concern in the cold weather than in the summer. If I'm remembering correctly carb ice is formed when the moisture in the air is rapidly cooled in the carb throat. If it's real cold there is less moisture in the air so carb ice is less of a concern.
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I've seen carb ice (in a car) at temps right around freezing. Some of the moisture may have been from snow melting / evaporating off the air cleaner.
 
That's not cold. You'll just be happier because you're operating at temperatures colder than standard day instead of higher, and your engine will make much more power. Don't forget to let the oil warm up sufficiently, and enjoy. :)

As Scott has pointed out, that's not cold at all. Last year I took off when it was -25F out (I still can't believe it was that cold). Getting the engine to even start was a challenge, and that was with the pre-heat! But once it started that 200 hp engine must have been putting out 235. It took off and climbed like a homesick angel. Ahh, fun. The plane flies the same, just has more power at colder temps. Much below 40F I try to plug the thing in and pre-heat it, but it's not a requirement and also isn't always feasible.
 
Thanks for the tips guys.
I guess I should have said that its "Colder than normal" weather. It's not offen you see temps below 40F to 38F down here in South Texas this time of year. lol
 
Snaggletooth said:
Thanks for the tips guys.
I guess I should have said that its "Colder than normal" weather. It's not offen you see temps below 40F to 38F down here in South Texas this time of year. lol
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Don't listen to them. That's cold weather down here in SoCal. The kind of cold that damages oranges and darn near killed our mango tree. Just be kind to the engine and give it time to warm up. If you're like us over here, you probably didn't invest in pre-heaters to battle the 50 - 40F temps.
 
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wpierce said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Carb icing will probably be less of a concern in the cold weather than in the summer. If I'm remembering correctly carb ice is formed when the moisture in the air is rapidly cooled in the carb throat. If it's real cold there is less moisture in the air so carb ice is less of a concern.
Click to expand...
Here is a carb ice probability chart. Note the temp where carb ice is most probable!!!

-Skip
 

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