RE: Cold Thumbs
Hi ES CONTROL
I did a lot of winter flying in western PA. Now that I am in NC, things are a little warmer. After freezing my fingers many times, I finally learned a secrete that I want to past on to you and others. I go to the field with a pair of heavy gloves and a pair of flying gloves. When possible, I fly without gloves. When it is to cold for bare hands, I wear my heavy gloves while doing everything except actually flying. This includes fueling the plane, doing the range check, starting the engine, tuning it if needed, etc. Once I have started the engine and checked everything, and am ready to take off, I replace my heavy gloves with a pair of light work gloves I purchase at Lowe's Home Improvement. You find them in the gardening area; they are dark brown. They are light enough so that I can "feel" my transmitter sticks while flying, but after about a 10 minute flight my fingers start hurting from the cold, so I land, end the flight, and put on my heavy gloves. That is my big secrete. Try it and let me know. I also use lighter fluid to make engine starting easier. I keep both of my pair of gloves next to my chest to keep them warm.