Cold wx Ops

Question 1

To operate at very cold temperatures oil lines should be?

Answer 1

Insulated, not my intention if colder -15deg I won’t go flying.

Question 2

Should you reduce engine cooling in winter?

Answer 2

Yes, Sponge on front of engine intake

Question 3

What does oil do?

Answer 3

Lubricates
Cools
Seals
Cleans
*Have proper viscosity for winter ops (SAE)

Question 4

Is multi-viscosity oil good?

Answer 4

Yes
Adds engine life for Start, Oil pump, Oil Cooler, Prop Governor, and Batteries

Question 5

What by-products does my oil clean?

Answer 5

Rust, Corrosion, acids, Varnishes.

Question 6

Can you fly at temp below my oil’s SAE rating?

Answer 6

Never

Question 7

What is the Pour point?

Answer 7

Lowest temp oil will flow without any disturbing force

Question 8

What is an odd byproduct of all combustion?

Answer 8

Moisture!
Some remains in the crank and must exit via the crankcase breather line, so that cannot be frozen shut!

Question 9

What must I ensure on my preflight?

Answer 9

The crankcase breather line is free of ice!

Question 10

What does cabin heat prevent?

Answer 10

My breathing from fogging up the windows on the inside!

Question 11

What can you do if Cabin heat fails?

Answer 11

Open all air vents and land Asap! It gets very uncomfortable, very quickly.

Question 12

Must I be wearing my cold weather gear prior to takeoff?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

What can you do with Battery if there is no provision to charge it?

Answer 13

Remove it and carry it inside with me where I sleep (same as oil), do I have a container for the oil?

Question 14

Below 0deg C, what % degradation is occuring with my battery?

Answer 14

50% or so

Question 15

What type of household battery resists cold the best?

Answer 15

Dry-Cell ‘Alkaline’
If used infrequently, reverse one battery so they don’t accidentally discharge.
(Rechargeable are not suitable)

Question 16

What can assist an engine cold start at -20deg C?

Answer 16

Multi-viscosity oil
Heat (small fire under cowling)

Question 17

You will damage engine anytime OAT is colder than minus ‘ x ‘ deg and engine is started without preheat.

Answer 17

-7 deg C
Even assuming you have proper SAE oil

Question 18

Can I refuel my plane while my Honda Generator is running for preheat?

Answer 18

No, spill fuel fire on Gen and Kaboom
Metal bits on Gen are ‘very’ hot, and electric sparks with Fumes

Question 19

Does a blanket over the cowling help preheat?

Answer 19

Yes
Ideally an insulated engine blanket.

Question 20

Where is best place to direct preheat?

Answer 20

Oil pan at bottom of engine, it’s all about the oil, not the cylinders.

Question 21

What is recommended with regards to the Prop, prior to a very cold start (i.e. -10deg or Colder)

Answer 21

Propeller turned over carefully, at least 4 times by Hand.

Question 22

Max time can operate starter motor?

Answer 22

90 sec, then 1min break
Subsequently 30sec at a time with 1min break (max 5 times per hour)

Question 23

What happens when you over-prime?

Answer 23

Scoring of cylinder walls (burnt),
Hard starting (larger explosion at first),
Possible induction fires…must keep cranking the engine to suck it back in.
Never more than 3-4 shots of Primer

Question 24

After a cold start, can the Carburator still have trouble vaporizing fuel?

Answer 24

Yes, so immediately put on ‘Carb Heat’ until engine runs smooth,

Question 25

What is the problem with prolonged idling in cold weather?

Answer 25

Insufficient CHT heat to prevent plug fooling!

Question 26

I should see a rise in oil indication (psi) within how many seconds?

Answer 26

60 when cold
30 sec when warm
*If no indication then turn off via Mags!
[Normal cruise setting of Oil psi is 75-85psi]

Question 27

In cold or warm OAT never run engine above what RPM after start?

Answer 27

1200rpm
Anything more, revving, will cause damage!