I have not flown for a year or so, but I have recently got the impulse to fly my Pulse 60 again. I am a beginner pilot at best, but I would really like to go fly on some of the warmer winter days (around -5 up here). Is their anything extremely different about flying in the winter? Would the cold make the plane brittle? As I said I am not that experienced and my landing are a little hard still and I do not want to wreck another plane

Thanks.

Cold weather doesn't exactly enhance your performance - your hands will be cold, which might make it more difficult to control the aircraft. Also, you want to keep an eye on your batteries, which will drain faster than in the summer. But other than that, there should be no problems.

i have read a couple of times about batteries dying faster in winter... why is that?

I believe it has to do with the chemical makeup of batteries. The reaction that creates free electrons (current flow) tends to slow down or is affected by the temperature. I'm sure that one of the "wizzards" can give you more information than that, but I believe it has something to do with that.

CGr.

Im not a chemist but I do know that cold temps slows down the chemical reaction in the batteries. Lowering its internal temperature decreases the Kinetic energy of the atoms/molecules so they move slower, thus slowing down electron transfer. I think....

One thing I love about flying on the snow, is that the whole field becomes a runway.

Things to watch out for, like has already been said, your batteries will not last as long. Check them after every flight, and don't be surprised if you only get 1-2 flights out of a pack.

If it's really cold, it's tough to get your engine started. Some folks use lighter fluid in the carb - I haven't tried that one. It does help to warm up your engine in your car's exhaust. If you are only flying a flight or two, try to get your engine started as quickly as you can when you get the plane out of your warm car.

And try to avoid boot prints on the runway - both hitting them and making them. I always take the long route around if I have to get my plane from the runway, so I don't create a lot of potholes.

And be prepared for some great flying. The cold air really improves the power of the engine, you just have to richen a little bit.

Good luck

Winter flying is the best if you can actually hack the cold, but you're Canadian, so that's already covered. Get a bottle of lighter fluid for the zippo type of lighters (I think it is Naptha). Once you start it with that once, they usually start really well without it the second, third, fourth, etc. Actually I used it on my first session last year and my engines started great without it every time after. I think it cleans the engine out and cuts the thickened varnish.

If you really get into it, get yourself an RC mitt. You can find a good one at RCMitt.com. They are essential when you realize how great it is to fly in the winter.

Have fun and keep asking questions if you have them.
Curtis

I bring a propane heater sometimes, but usually keep the Cherokee running and do the charging and pitting in the rear cargo area over a tarp.
Steamed up eyeglasses can be a nuisance.
Someday I might get electric gloves, but this area keeps getting nicer and nicer every year with global warming....

In some conditions it's fun to go without any landing gear.
Some, if not all iron on coverings will get brittle...paint can too.
Fuel doesn't vaporize as easily so pay attention to not flooding. Dry crank the engine with the line pinched if your engine has a fuel feed that is a little too efficient for it's own good. Just the dry cranking action pre heats the engine and prepares it for the mixture.

I tried something new last week when it was -5. I took 2 chemical foot warmers, wrapped them aroung the engine and then wrapped the entire engine area with a towel. First flip it started...

That is brilliant. At our last winter fun fly, when it was around 10 degrees F, we had an awful time getting our engines started when it was our turn to fly. It got to the point where whoever could start their plane went next, regardless of the order. We had a salamander going, which I used to warm up my engine, but the hand/foot warmer idea is a great one. It's portable, and requires no extra equipment.

Plus, you can use them to warm up your feet.

This was taken yesterday(1-10-2010) from a Slowstick in MI. Cold and windy as heck. I don't mind flying electrics in the cold cause I can run out -get in a flight, and come back in and charge batteries. I don't have to carry all my glow equip. fuel up and start engines...etc..
Thats me on the right.
BW

Thanks, I was mainly worried about the cold making the plane brittle. What about putting some of those warming things around the battery to keep it warm?

I wish i went out today as its gotta be at least +5 C out.

The foot warmers get plenty warm, warm enough that you don't want to get them next to your skin. Buy and try a package on yourself to see what I mean. I bought a box of them a year ago, I think they were about $1.29 a pair/pkg.

Winter flying rocks. you will love it. Dress warm and make sure your batteries, including starting battery is charged for glow. Touch and goes in the powder rocks!

i will fly in the winter as long as it isnt to windy, the wind is what kills me. other than that i would bring a torch just incase those engines wont start.