CCA Winter Operations 2021/2022

Winter weather will be soon upon all of us at Chester County Aviation. Here are some reminders regarding cold weather flying in general aviation.

• Clothing: Please consider proper clothing during your flights. Not only do these clothing requirements help ensure surviving an off-field landing, but they also promote the required thorough pre-flight inspections. If your cold, you are more likely to rush through the pre-flight to limit your exposure to the unpleasant conditions. Remember, if you ever think you are going too slow, you need to remember to slow down (due to the tendency to rush if you think you are going too slow)
• Frost: Aircraft will have the potential to accumulate frost prior to engine start, and even after engine start and prior to takeoff, if the temperature and dew point spreads are close together. Frost, the thickness of coarse sandpaper has the potential to increase drag by 40% and reduce lift by 30%, and MUST be removed prior to flight.
• Brakes in the Snow: Remember to taxi more slowly on ramps contaminated by snow or ice. Braking action will be greatly reduced from dry pavement. Contaminated surfaces warrant much slower speeds. Remember to NOT lock up the brakes on snow and ice, but rather “pulse” the brakes to prevent wheel lockup. This is what the anti-lock brakes on your car accomplish, and greatly increases braking ability with the addition of preventing flat-spotting tires if a tire becomes locked up on snow/ice and then contacts dry pavement.
• CO Awareness: All of us will be utilizing aircraft heaters more frequently during the winter months, and therefore the risk of CO being admitted to the cabin increases. Remember to keep the CO detector in you scan, and if you see the indicator turning black, shut off the heater and defroster, open the fresh air vents, and proceed to the nearest airport for landing.
• Carburetor Icing: Colder temperatures, if accompanied by high humidity (temp/dew point spreads within 5 degrees), also increase the likelihood that carburetor ice may form. Remember to use carburetor heat during low power settings, and to verify proper operation during the runup prior to takeoff.
• Cold Starts: We must limit cold starts for our aircraft as well, as the engine oil is very viscous (resistant to flow) and doesn’t properly lubricate the engine until the engine warms up. The engine is also made of aluminum and steel, two dissimilar metals that expand and contract at different rates with changes in temperature. This creates tighter tolerances within the engine, and increased wear and tear during cold starts. Leaving your aircraft in the Hangar for the pre-flight inspection will keep the engine warm, as will taking an aircraft that has recently flown (within the last hour to 30 minutes). Please respect aircraft starter limitations.
• Internal Components: Keeping the interior of the aircraft warm also helps the gyroscopes within certain instruments stay warm and reduces wear on their components