REFLECTOR: Cold weather flying

[Scott Baker]

The factory XL prototype had an electric cabin heat system. I imagine it was build by modifying a 12V hair dryer. If you have a 12V cigarette power plug, having hair dryer could work out well for windscreen defrosting and supplementing the oil cooler cabin heat. Secret to a warm cabin is minimizing air leaks. If you can eliminate the leaks, a little bit of heat goes a long way. 

Scott Baker

On Dec 11, 2013, at 9:19 AM, Geoff Gerhardt <geoff.gerhardt at gmail.com> wrote:

> Guys,
> 
> I am thinking of flying up to visit family and friends in Saskatchewan (Canada) over the holidays.  I flew there this summer, and it was a wonderful trip.  I live in MA and fly all winter, but up in SK its a different level of cold.  Its been ~-5F there this week.  I just have the nose oil cooler for cabin heat, and its been fine for MA sort of temps (I'm nice and comfortable at 20F), but for -20C, I suspect it won't be enough.  I've bought a seat warmer and will likely get some heated socks to keep me warm.
> 
> I'm not so worried about me keeping warm, I'm more concerned about the operation of the airplane.  Anyone in the mid-west have experience flying in <0F weather?  What about fogging/frosting of the windshield?  I've had my windshield fog up on the ramp, but that's easily remedied by opening the door - tough to do in the air.
> 
> I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on cold weather flying in a Velocity and things I should be thinking about.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Geoff
> 
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