Fly-In Tips from Commander Bill

Cold Weather Tips

Although we are currently experiencing the locals favorite time of year with Indian summer temperatures and great fall colors, no doubt winter will arrive soon enough. In fact, November and December are the coldest months at the airport with overnight lows ranging from the high teens to low twenties. For early morning engine starts and departures, keep a few tips in mind.

If possible, use a multi-grade oil in your engine. If you are going to be flying on regular you might consider installing a tanis electric block heater on your engine to plug in a few hours prior to take-off. If we've had a particularly cold night, a preheat by the line crew works great. With our new hangar construction indoor parking will not be a problem. Finally, remember to keep your engine RPM's low until the engine is up to normal operating temperatures.

Give me a call at (760) 934-3813 and I will be more than happy to talk with you personally about your flight planning questions. I look forward to hearing from you soon.