Winter Flying

Geico266

Geico266

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
19,136
Location
Husker Nation, NE
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Display name:
Geico
I was up flying around today after the first major winter storm. I had 3' snow drift in front of the hangar. A good reason to have a high wing, but I digress. :rolleyes:

I love flying this time of year. Dead of winter after a major snow storm. The air is very thick and cold. Lots of O2 for the engine, cold air for temps.

I don't like shoveling the snow, that's why I bought a snow blower. :lol:

Get out there and enjoy flying in the winter. Less crowded airports and skies.

And no bugs!!!
 
No snow here in the Sacramento area, but lots of rain for the next 10 plus days :( and my plane just got fixed yesterday after three months of chasing problems.
 
What a difference 24 hours makes sometimes! Winds gusts with blowing snow in the 45-50 knot range yesterday and today lots of sunshine and perfect visibility. Smooooth as silk at 5,500'. :D
 
No snow here, just a little wind.... :D

PHOG 211726Z 2118/2218 06011G20KT P6SM VCSH SCT030 BKN250 FM212100 06015G29KT P6SM SCT030 BKN250 FM220700 06010KT P6SM VCSH SCT030 BKN250 AMD LTD TO WX VIS AND WIND 2209/2216
 
John221us said:
No snow here in the Sacramento area, but lots of rain for the next 10 plus days :( and my plane just got fixed yesterday after three months of chasing problems.
Click to expand...

Did they get everything figured out John?
 
Geico266 said:
The air is very thick and cold. Lots of O2 for the engine, cold air for temps.
Click to expand...

Took the plane up two days ago at the end of a cold spell here in the Bay Area. There was noticeably better performance. But sadly, as John mentioned, we're in for unsettled weather for a while.
 
tmyers said:
Did they get everything figured out John?
Click to expand...

Hi Tim,
Yes, finally after 3 months of chasing it. I am going to post an update to the thread I created, looking for help on it. It is great to have a plane again (if the weather would just cooperate). :yes:
 
I don't suppose you took care of the snow in front of Echo 3 while you were at it? I'm too old for this snow removal business.
 
I remember my second winter takeoff really well. Eight knot wind straight down the runway, about 40 degrees out maybe, and we jumped off the ground. It was pretty crazy. It basically felt like my first solo again...except that I had a passenger along too.
 
Too old for snow removal? You're like half my age Jesse! Get out there and fly that Baby!

I tried to drive through the heart of the blizzard from Ames IA to Albert Lea MN Thursday to pick up my nephew (on college break) but I35 was a mess of jackknifed trucks, drifts, and zero vis. After 2 hours I was only 20 miles out so turned back and called in a motel room for the nephew. 2 more hours I was home and they closed the interstate behind me.

Friday morning hopped into the C150 and did the entire trip in 2.5 hrs (15 gal auto fuel). That cold dense air was mighty fine for performance, the view was gorgeous, the ride smooth, and the satisfaction exquisite.

Nephew thought it rocked!

MM
 
Going flying Monday to MVY for lunch in the Cheetah. The winds around here have been pretty bad and low clouds to boot. Really looking forward to it. :D
 
wby0nder said:
Too old for snow removal? You're like half my age Jesse! Get out there and fly that Baby!

I tried to drive through the heart of the blizzard from Ames IA to Albert Lea MN Thursday to pick up my nephew (on college break) but I35 was a mess of jackknifed trucks, drifts, and zero vis. After 2 hours I was only 20 miles out so turned back and called in a motel room for the nephew. 2 more hours I was home and they closed the interstate behind me.

Friday morning hopped into the C150 and did the entire trip in 2.5 hrs (15 gal auto fuel). That cold dense air was mighty fine for performance, the view was gorgeous, the ride smooth, and the satisfaction exquisite.

Nephew thought it rocked!

MM
Click to expand...

There you go. That should have been plan A. Wait for the weather to clear and hop in the plane. :)
 
Winter flying is great, perfect visibility and no need to worry about thunderstorms or haze- a common event up here in the Northeast during summertime. I also am brought back to my first solo XC's which were in the winter and my first flights as a private pilot, in January of last year. Always good thoughts and fun times thinking back on those flights.

I'll be flying a bunch over the holidays as I have the next two weeks off. Looking forward to the nice days ahead.
 
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