Hello all, How many of you guys fly in the winter? It's been along wait since I've completed my arf to get it maiden(3 days). I am a complete noob, but with all the helpful information on this website I've done a good job of building my airplane. I've been itching to fly! Any winter fliers in northern Illinois? Where do you guys fly and when? With over a 1000hrs on G2, I feel confident that I'll learn fast in real life.

You could contact one of these clubs:

CHICAGO AERONUTS
246 C SOTICH 3851 W 62ND PL
CHICAGO IL 60629-4622
Phone: 773/735/1353

ILLINOIS MODEL AERO CLUB
254 C SOTICH 3851 W 62ND PL
CHICAGO IL 60629-4622
Phone: 773/735/1353

RADIO SIGNAL MODELERS FLYERS
1289 TERRY GOMBERT 4825 N BELL AVE
CHICAGO IL 60625
Phone: 773-561-8249
Url: www.rsmrc.com

Some of my club members (myself included) fly all winter -- skiis & seaplanes are the weapons of choice (I prefer flying boat types)

I winterize all my plane's, then I hibernate.. I hate this weather! Its going to be a very long spring....

While you may be able to find those that fly in cold winter weather, you may find that you will probably not find somebody willing to train you in the colder weather. I know you have a lot of time on a simulator, but that doesn't always mean that you will quickly solo. I doubt anybody is going to want to spent the time it takes to train a student to soloing. And if you do find somebody that is willing to teach you in rush during cold weather I would be willing to guess that you're not going to get very good training. Training a student to fly isn't something that happens in a day. While each student will advance at there own pace, but as an instructor I can tell you that it can take anywhere from a few weeks up to 2 years to learn to fly. It just takes time, and that time is not going to be any fun in cold weather.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade because you do seem very eager to fly (we've all been there), but winter time just isn't the time to learn to fly. Especially since you are in an area that has cold winters.

Hang in there, spring will be here before you know it.

Ken

if your hands can stand the cold and you still a have a feel for the sticks even if you have to wear gloves then flying in the winter is ok but if you can not get a feel for the sticks then winter time is not a good idea in my opinion.

We fly fly year round in these parts. I maidened 2 new planes last new years eve (day), and I'm on track to maiden another new one this year.

It's not too bad flying in the cold if you bundle up and have shelter. But when it gets around 20 degrees F, you start having problems with the engines and fuel systems. You certainly don't have to wait for the frequency pins, or have any problem with too many in the air.

It makes sense that someone wouldn't want to help a noob in the winter. When all they want to do is fix their rc addiction and get a few flights in b4 frostbite settles in. Guess, that makes me have to wait till the spring. Another 1000hrs of G2 shouldn't hurt. For now I'll stop by a near rc flying field and watch with my jaws dropped as pilots perform touch and gos on skis.

Good time to start BUILDING a second plane!! Plan ahead a little.

BTW - You never said what your FIRST plane is. We know it is an ARF but what kind?

Yeah, I'm thinking about building a spad3d. Looks really neat and sturdy oh did I mention cheap too. My airplane is an extremely old hobbico asap cessna 182 arf series it's approximately 12-13yrs old. It might even be a first generation arf, not really sure.

The specs are
Wing span 51 1/2"
Length 46 1/2"
Wing area 615 sq.in.

I'll be running a .40 magnum pro and a 6 channel Jr radio to fly the pretty bird. From what I hear it should treat me as a good trainer!?!?

zero is usually my temp at which i quit... (won't see a daytime high of 20 until march!) sun shining, no wind, and zero isn't actually too bad. trick is you do not want the engine getting very cold, have it fueled up before you get to the field if possible, start it as soon as you can, then fly until your fingers are numb. I have gloves that have the index and thumb tips cut off, I hate flying in full gloves but having the tips exposed at least gives me some tactile feel and keeps a little more warmth in the hand. (having one of those chemical hotpacks in the gloves helps!)

Winter?

What is Winter?

Now I know why people keep coming here and never seem to leave. Flew today in 70+ degree weather and perfect conditions ( I am a newly soloed; so....I LIKE perfect conditions).

I just hadda rub it in.

Please be kind as you dismember me for rubbing it in.

OH....and you can take some satisfaction from the fact that; to live here hurts more than frostbite.

RcKrazy, come to California. Bring your plane, a swimsuit and some sunglasses.

I am in the midle of a heatwave at the moment (95deg) and can't wait till winter again so its not so bl*** HOT, but still fly all year round.

Cheers

Yes, some of us do fly in the winter. Some of us also have a REAL winter.

Not everyone goes icefishing in Minnesota. Transmitter mitts are popular up here.

Despite the snow (which made visibility a challenge), it was only in the teens on this particular day (the day after Thanksgiving).

Yesterday we woke up to -9ºF with a -20º wind chill. And it's not even officially winter yet!! [X(]

Hi Ghost (or should that be Kaditcha Man?),

I echo your sentiments from the Mid North Coast and throw in the afternoon thunderstorms for a little comic relief and panel beating. The bl**dy grass is growing so quickly the flying field looks like a rice paddy. I have to hand launch my students trainer as there is no way it can develop enough speed to lift off. I have had to put larger wheels on all my models to enable take off speed to be reached.

Cheers,

Colin

this is my winter season when it comes to flying.....quite challenging, but definaltely fun!!!

Colin,
Know what you mean about the grass. Thinking of making a flying lawn mower so I can do two things at the same time.

Cheers

I guess we're lucky out here on the "Wet" Coast... as long as it's not raining, you can go flying... might have to light a fire in the trash barrel to warm up the fingers, but it's certainly possible to fly year round out here... in reasonable comfort!

I have a ton of respect for you guys flying in single digit temperatures. Once I join a club and get solo certified I'll probably be flying on my own for the most part, especially in the winter. Most of the guys hear have a family role to play.......me on the other hand is single, young, and have more free time = flying flying flying. Smokingcrater and PipeMajor wish you guys lived closer. Then I would have some guys I know that would be down to fly despite the cold.

Pipe Major-

What field are you flying out of in those pics? I fly at TCRC in Jordan. A few of us fly year round as well.

That Stearman looks nice.

-Scott

Some of the busiest days at our flying field happen on a nice winter day. I have to fly to Utah or Colorado in order to experience real winter though.

Cold weather engine starting tip: Prime the engine with gasoline (cigarette lighter fluid) instead of glow fuel. It'll light right up even when you hand start it.
Flash point of methanol...55 degrees F.
Flash point of gasoline....minus 40 degrees F.

It's been colder lately though, you still need to dress up warm.

I always bring a big zip lock bag with me and fill it with outside air and seal it before coming into the house so moisture doesn't condense on the insides.

I'm a winter park flyer, usually get out when winds are less than 10 mph. Have skis on my Lil' Poke and keeping my hands warm is the only problem while waiting for the 20 minutes for my LiPo to run down (heh, heh). I bought some "dexterity" workmens gloves at my local Home Depot (my wife calls it "Home Despot") for 8 bucks. I can run the sticks with them, but hands still get cold.

I knew I saw these here somewhere,[link=http://www.slopeflyer.com/artman/publish/article_13.shtml]Mongo Mits[/link]
Someone posted this link earlier this year, maybe they will help.