Cold weather flying
 

I have started to wear nitrile disposable gloves in the winter. They are thin plastic but keep your hands warm by stopping evaporative cooling. Give it a try it really works. I haven't tried them at below 20 degrees F but they would be better than nothing.

RE: Cold weather flying
 

Thanks for the info Brian. Is that a Redtail in the picture? Are you a falconer?

RE: Cold weather flying
 

I never fly in Winter. I got cold once and didn't like it! [>:]

RE: Cold weather flying
 

CeeGee,

Yes that is a red tail but no I am not a Faloner. The laws are tuff in CT. I rescued a Juvinille red tail last year. Here's a photo:

RE: Cold weather flying
 

Thanks Brian, That is a very nice photo. She looks a little upset. Good thing there's a gloved hand in the photo. Fingers are sometimes mistaken for food. Yikes!! I flew them for 6 or 7 years. I had 3 different Redtails and a Coopers, and a Harris. Also been around several falcons. I imagine the laws here are much stricter than when I used to fly. That was back in the 80's. I would love to fly them again but it's a lifestyle, not a hobby. Thanks again, Rob

RE: Cold weather flying
 

Skypilot, where did you get these gloves? I have been using a double layer, first a thin cotton weave glove similar to the kind butchers wear, then a fingerless wool glove over that, works pretty well but I'm always looking for something better. We fly all year, except this weekend, suppose to be a high of 5 degrees and windy. BRRRRRRRRRRR

RE: Cold weather flying
 

CeeGee,

I found her at the side of the highway shaking her head in a slow rythum, malnurished and with very long tallons shaped more like a dogs nails than the strong pointy tallons you would expect to see on a wild bird. She did not have bumble foot. I thought she might have gotten caught in the turbulence behind a semi and knocked down.

That photo was taken after a day at the vet, she was not too happy. I was upset that they put her in that small crate without a perch. She had no broken feathers when I dropped her off but when I went to pick her up for transport to the proper rehab facility she had several tail feathers damaged at the tips. She was released four days later after being force fed with a tube to fatten her up. I saw her two days later perched in a tree in the same place where I found her.

RC-sport,

Doctor offices are using them now instead of Latex or you can get them by the box at a parts supply. Try auto zone or a HVAC supply. The last time I bought them they were $12.00 per hundred. If you put them on under your fingerless gloves you will be very happy!

RE: Cold weather flying
 

I think it's GREAT that you took the time to save that bird!
Most people would just drive by and not think anything about her,I have seen people hit dogs and just keep right on going,sad that some have no heart.
Great tip on the gloves..thanks!

RE: Cold weather flying
 

Brian, That is awesome that you took the time and initiative to rescue it. It does
sound like it was related to flying close to the road. Sounds like you spent some time
and effort studying raptors. Great job! .... Bumble Foot is terrible. Most of the
raptors that get it die from it. About 75% of first year birds die in there 1st year.
That's why falconers are allowed to take the first year birds from the wild. That's
the way it works here anyway. In regards to the vet experience, most vets don't
know anything about birds of prey. You're right. It should have had a perch. That
would have prevented damage to the tail feathers and since the tail feather are used
for steering and slowing down they are extremely important to their health. Again,
great job Brian........[:........[

RE: Cold weather flying
 

Thanks

RE: Cold weather flying
 

For MY first season of "Cold flying" I bought a heated "Winter Transmitter Mitt", you'll find them in the "Marketplace".
They come in red or blue, have a vinyl window on the front and a pocket for a hand warmer packet behind the radio, it works great.

RE: Cold weather flying
 

I second the TX mitten. I just bought one from Zach Sparks at http://webpages.charter.net/sparksaz/txmitten/
My hands stay nice and toasty in this new england winter.

Sean

RE: Cold weather flying
 

I also own a mitt but haven't used it for a few years. The window fogs fast from the perspiration of your hands, another reason for the Nitrile gloves;)

RE: Cold weather flying
 

Skypilot one,
If you wear the gloves while you use the mitt, problem solved.

RE: Cold weather flying
 

That' what I meant. The drawback to mitts is the fact that it can hit the sticks while you get your hands in it. It would be a good idea to have an attachment point that would raise the front of the mitt off the sticks to eliminate any chance of unwanted excitement. I see on that website they took care of the problem. I have a different version I bought from Canada.

RE: Cold weather flying
 

I've been using a pair of mechanix brand mechanic's gloves, bought at autozone. They're pretty soft, thin, and flexible, and the fingertip feel and dexterity is good enough to easily feel with. I've only used them a few times so far, but they seem to be working well at about 30°.

RE: Cold weather flying
 

It's funny. I have noticed that for every year older that I get, the minimum temp that I will fly at goes up about 5 degrees. I am spoiled to the point that if I need gloves, I build instead. At this rate, in a few years, I will not fly unless it is 70-75 degrees.