Good DA here today
- Thread starter WannFly
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This actually brings up a question I’ve wanted clarification on.
When density altitude is a high negative value like that, are you essentially unable to get the mixture rich enough?
When density altitude is a high negative value like that, are you essentially unable to get the mixture rich enough?
PaulS
Touchdown! Greaser!
I think a bigger problem is keeping the cylinder heads warm. Plus if you don't have a good heater, then that's pretty cold.
WannFly
Final Approach
I have often wondered that... the plane seem to like it, the pilot don’t and you can’t even get the temps in oil or cyl to get a respectable number. And then I see some guys will turn into the wind during run up when the cyl only shows barely touching 250 during run up. I mean why on earth would you want more cooling ?
PaulS
Touchdown! Greaser!
Habit, some planes do have cold weather kits to block off some airflow. I love the climb rate on cold days though.
Kenny Phillips
Final Approach
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Kenny Phillips
It would take quite a bit of power to taxi if I saw that DA in Cincinnati.
Should see some awesome performance from my 180 horse today.... but man it’s too cold to preflight. Windchill -36
WannFly
Final Approach
I love the climb rate and generally flying in cold weather too. It’s smooth as glass, generally. But I have stopped flying below zero for last 2 years to so. Things get brittle and they break - known from personal experience.
PaulS
Touchdown! Greaser!
Yup, -11f is pretty damn cold.
You? Or the plane?
My CFII's limit is 10F. It was 9 this morning and too much ice in front of the hangar. Cancel.
ArnoldPalmer
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ArnoldPalmer
Same. But I may make an exception next week as it is my last chance to clock the required hours before my CFI leaves the area for a few months. Yesterday at 3 degrees was the warmest day till Tuesday. So going to have to wait and see.
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David Megginson
Pattern Altitude
I hear you. >1,000 fpm in my 160 hp PA-28-161 in the winter makes me feel like I'm flying a jet.
WannFly
Final Approach
WannFly
Final Approach
Same. But I may make an exception next week as it is my last chance to clock the required hours before my CFI leaves the area for a few months. Yesterday at 3 degrees was the warmest day till Tuesday. So going to have to wait and see.
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The lowest I have flown was -23f ambient, never again
Zeldman
Touchdown! Greaser!
Most of the companies I flew for in Alaska stopped operations at -36 to -38. F or C, take your pick.
They stopped operations not because of what the cold does to the pilots, but to try to prevent the little things in the airplane from breaking, like the cheap plastic interior pieces and small door hinges. Nothing like firing up the engine and watching the oil pressure gauge(s) sit on O pressure until the oil in the line thaws out, or the gyros howling so loudly that the passengers ask what the noise is.
Nothing like having the eyelids freeze shut while trying to fuel the plane.....
David Megginson
Pattern Altitude
-35°C OAT once was fine in my PA-28-161. I felt a little chilly whenever a cloud came between me and the sun — and I had my coat on, of course — but the heater kept up pretty well.
AKBill
En-Route
And I am whining about 7F here today...
SoCal RV Flyer
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SoCal RV Flyer
I will not state the ambient temp in my region for the purposes of thread harmony and fear of recrimination.
David Megginson
Pattern Altitude
That's -13c. If there's a brisk wind with that, preflighting a plane outside can start to become a bit unpleasant.And I am whining about 7F here today...
Zeldman
Touchdown! Greaser!
And I am whining about 7F here today...
Wow.!!
for Juneau that is cold...
One time I left Fairbanks that was in the -30s and when I arrived in Juneau it was 42.... I almost passed out from over heating.
Sinistar
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Brad
My coldest flight was around -8F. During startup in the summer I can aggressively lean the 182 within 20 seconds of startup. When its this cold, it really has to warm up (with oil cooler 90% covered) and I can still barely lean it. Up at cruise I can lean it but you can tell its not as much and it seems like I am burning maybe +1gph or so.
My favorite is if the cabin was pre-warmed i take off the jacket and just wear a long sleeve shirt...the O-470 heater is awesome.
Sinistar
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Brad
I always thought the turn into the wind for run up was more about aircraft control...think light fabric planes. Or maybe I just learned something today!