Wow! If you like cold weather flying, than January was your month. January 2014 has been recorded as in the top five coldest January’s in weather recorded history. I believe the concrete floor for N6998A has heaved due to the frost and the hangar doors are pinned. Not sure what we can do in the short term. So much for global warming!

Also, the amount of snow this year is extraordinary. As I write this, we are getting an additional 4 – 6 inches of the wonderful stuff. The airport has been doing a great job in plowing the taxi streets, but there are large drifts against the hangar doors. Feel free to give the snow thrower a workout.

We did address some cold starting tips last month. Remember, when the weather gets cold, oil gets thick, metal contracts, batteries are weak, starter motors are sluggish and spark plugs can become “frosted.” Large cylinder air cooled engines can get “frosted” during starts in cold weather.

“Frosting” is a term referring to frosting of the spark plugs. This occurs when you initially crank the engine. The engine draws in very cold air and then compresses the gas/air mixture. During the intake stroke, the vacuum produced causes the temperature to drop significantly and many times frost develops and coats the entire interior of the cylinder, including the spark plugs. This frost crosses the gap in the spark plugs allowing the electricity to pass through with no spark. Hence, no ignition.

Once plugs are frosted there is nothing you can do but get a pre-heat for the engine. In other words, bring it into a warm hangar and let the engine warm up. Continual cranking of the engine does no good. It wears out the battery and is rough on the starter motor. If this happens to you, please call Tim Stark at Jackson Aero (after you are through cussing) and he will try to find a warm hangar for a warm up. So, please keep those engine heaters plugged in after every flight.

Don’t forget to check your biennial review and medical certificate currency.

Posted:	admin
	2014-02-01 00:00:00
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