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11-29-2014, 09:29 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: US
Posts: 39
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Winter Pre Flight Routine?
For those of you flying in winter in the North AND have your plane tied down outside all winter long, what is your routine once you get to the airport in order to get flying?
One assumption I am making is that there are no services available at your tiny little airport.
So you arrive one sunny Friday morning. Weekend trip planned. Plane has about 4 inches of snow still on it from last snowfall. Air temps are in the low single digits. Your last flight was maybe 10 days ago or so.
What do you guys do? Haul a portable generator and hair dryers to preheat? Spray on deicer? Battery charger?
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11-30-2014, 04:03 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Delaware, OH (KDLZ)
Posts: 4,196
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Many years ago, I kept a Cherokee 180 on the ramp. I was also working on my IFR ticket at the time after work.
Fortunately, I had the services of the local FBO to preheat and jump start if necessary. They charged about $25 per preheat at that time.
I also went out after every snow and cleaned off the plane and shovel the ramp so that I could taxi out. This was a real PITA, but you had to keep the accumulated snow off the aircraft. If the snow starts to melt, then temps drop, you would be surprised all the places water can seep in and refreeze.
At the time, I had a Bruce cover with wing root and engine cowling extensions to minimize water getting through those joints. I was seriously considering getting a set off covers for the entire aircraft when I sold the Cherokee. Sometimes you getting a layer of ice under the snow and its a pain to get off. The more surfaces you can get under cover, the better off you will be to be able to make short notice flights.
You are going to need something much more robust than a hair dryer to preheat the engine unless you are located in the south. Most of the solutions that I'm aware of are electric based.
The Reiff heat bands are great, but they are going to take a few hours to warm up depending on the temps. Using a generator would be a real PITA. Any chane that there is an electrical outlet you could run an extension cord to?
There are threads here that show adapter a variety of space heaters, but again you probably have to get to the airport early to let them run enough to really get the cylinders and the sump warm.
Ideally you would want a propane solution that would be portable. The purpose built units aren't cheap. I haven't seen any mods for propane units.
Just be careful with any forced air solution. High heat will soften the epoxy. I've seen cowls that have melted and been burned due to improper use of external heaters.
I don't think there are any silver bullet solutions. You'll have to determine what's acceptable to you in your situation.
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11-30-2014, 08:16 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 963
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Great thread! I too will be ramp parked with Bruce covers and NO electricity...
Bob
__________________
Bob Hassel
NM
Subscription Paid for 2020
Home is where the hanger is...
Last edited by bhassel : 12-04-2014 at 11:15 AM.
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11-30-2014, 08:27 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rleffler
....
I also went out after every snow and cleaned off the plane and shovel the ramp so that I could taxi out. This was a real PITA, but you had to keep the accumulated snow off the aircraft. If the snow starts to melt, then temps drop, you would be surprised all the places water can seep in and refreeze.
.....
Ideally you would want a propane solution that would be portable. The purpose built units aren't cheap. I haven't seen any mods for propane units.
......
I don't think there are any silver bullet solutions. You'll have to determine what's acceptable to you in your situation.
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Absolutely agree with Bob here. I am outside with no access to power. I use a propane preheater fellow RVator lend me. Thanks Tom I put your unit to good use this year!

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11-30-2014, 10:09 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Southern Michigan
Posts: 1,966
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When I first got my C-152, the first winter I kept it tied down on the ramp. No electricity available. I had a small 30,000 btu propane torpedo heater that I fashioned up some duct work on the output end, then used a couple high temp dryer vent flexible tubing that I plugged into the engine air cooling inlets. Blanket over the cowling. I used a DC/AC converter to run the torpedo heater fan off my vehicle. Took about an hour or better to heat the engine up to a temp I felt comfortable with. During that time I cleared snow off the plane and parking area, then do my pre-flight. One winter of that was enough for me. The airport I was based had plenty of empty hangers so next winter I put it in a hanger.
__________________
David C.
Howell, MI
RV-10: #41686 Under Construction
RV-9A: #90949 Under Construction
RV-10: #40637 Completed/Sold 2016
Cozy MKIV:#656 Completed/Sold 2007
"Donor Exempt" but donated through Dec. 2020
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12-04-2014, 11:07 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 22
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Cheep pre-heater that I use. Grand total: $55 bucks with shipping. Low temp setting is 500 degrees so it's not going to melt cowlings. 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on how cold it is. Very portable too. Bet you could run a few hundred feet of extension cord to a building if required.
More info with part numbers:
http://avsport.org/publicat/nonfict/preheat.pdf
Last edited by designrs : 12-04-2014 at 01:01 PM.
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12-04-2014, 12:55 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,291
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I've found (thanks to a recommendation from Lycosaurus here!) the kerosene-powered alligator-style construction heater is just the ticket for pre-heating. Propane doesn't work well when it's REALLY cold, plus it seems to bring with it a lot of unwanted moisture.
I run aluminum dryer duct into the exit area of the cowl, thus allowing the "flame" portion of the heating system to be several feet away from anything else that's flammable.
Insulation over the cowling and blocking off of cowl vents is critical to getting the engine temperature up on those days when it's really crackling cold.
Works a charm - pre-heated in 15-20 minutes at temps down to -20C.
Ditto on all the comments about covers for your airplane. Keep in mind the FAA guidelines regarding frost contamination of flight surfaces... The allowable amount of frost on your wing is ZERO. Covers really help with this.
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12-04-2014, 02:31 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 148
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Canadian Joy any chance you have a photo of your set up?
__________________
RV-7A
RV-6A- Sold due to military move
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12-04-2014, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by designrs
Cheep pre-heater that I use. Grand total: $55 bucks with shipping. Low temp setting is 500 degrees so it's not going to melt cowlings. 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on how cold it is. Very portable too. Bet you could run a few hundred feet of extension cord to a building if required.
More info with part numbers:
http://avsport.org/publicat/nonfict/preheat.pdf
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It's a great setup Rich! I like the way designer thinks - elements of red everywhere - from your airplane paint scheme to the preheat gun and the step stool. See you tomorrow night 
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12-08-2014, 09:48 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: US
Posts: 39
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Correct. Outside tie down & winter = PITA
I don't think the airport manager would be too fond of anyone running a 100 foot extension cord to their plane tied down outside, for a number of reasons.
Does anyone know people who do the long extension cord/heat gun thing regularly each winter AND has an outside tie down?
Kerosene would be good. But again, fire hazards. And then what do you do with the hot kero heater? And how long would it take to really heat soak an engine with one?
Arizona is looking better all the time.
Brrrrr
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