---------------------------------------------------------- Stratus-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 12/15/04: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:33 PM - Winter flying...... (Larry McFarland) 2. 06:21 PM - Re: Winter flying...... (Michel Therrien) 3. 07:44 PM - Re: Winter flying...... (The Meiste's) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:33:01 PM PST US From: "Larry McFarland" Subject: Stratus-List: Winter flying...... --> Stratus-List message posted by: "Larry McFarland" Hi guys, My Stratus powered 601 is in its first winter season and temperatures have dropped to the low teens. I'm wondering how cold is too cold to fly. Given that the engine is kept warm, will it be able to stay at normal operating temps, or are there things needed to keep it going? I'm looking at reducing radiator exposure a bit, but not sure how much. Are there any other problems out there? Larry McFarland - 601HDS ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:21:35 PM PST US DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=s1024; d=yahoo.com; b=R6xabnmXUfbHlaeml2HFrnMRtFh9kwB8X6W/DygXnyKboHrl/3hbLxB5LhsavpE1gRddzrfMT1ui+lTv+T+XF+C0tWy1uJsVuq6yneL/0O0jnv5DLQhERy2QMA3sjdvGV7n7DANNI6Ry53cU57Yj6blYIUwAzrkWhtnJWsRZ49U= ; From: Michel Therrien Subject: Re: Stratus-List: Winter flying...... --> Stratus-List message posted by: Michel Therrien I was flying several degrees below zero Celcius a week ago and all was perfect. 200F oil temp, 187 coolant temp. I plugged part of my lower air intake with duct tape. Michel do not archive --- Larry McFarland wrote: > --> Stratus-List message posted by: "Larry > McFarland" > > Hi guys, > > My Stratus powered 601 is in its first winter season > and temperatures have dropped to the low teens. I'm > wondering how cold is too cold to fly. Given that > the engine is kept warm, will it be able to stay at > normal operating temps, or are there things needed > to keep it going? I'm looking at reducing radiator > exposure a bit, but not sure how much. Are there > any other problems out there? > > ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:44:50 PM PST US From: "The Meiste's" Subject: Re: Stratus-List: Winter flying...... --> Stratus-List message posted by: "The Meiste's" Hi Larry, I do a few minor tweaks when preparing my Stratus (and me) for winter flying. 1. As you noted block off rad as required (most I've done so far is 3/4 closed). 2. Change from 20W-50 to 10W-30 Castrol GTX. 3. Change from my summer 40% coolant, to 60% coolant. 4. Make sure as many cockpit air leaks are sealed off as possible. 5. Go to F&F and stock up on toe warmers. 6. As long as your at F&F purchase one of those round 5 gallon bucket cushions the ice fishermen use to sit on and place it in your seat (it does actually provide some warmth, thou it's a little uncomfortable to sit on). 7. Don't forget to ask Santa for a new pair of Long Johns (you have been good this year haven't you?). 8. Make sure you have a good quality pair of sunglasses as the newly fallen snow, & bright sun combined with a polished aluminum plane will give a whole new meaning to "blinded by the light". 9. Watch your tires air pressures as they will drop quickly compared to the summer. 10. Have fun! I really love winter flying as the air is generally glassy smooth. And as much as you may like try to resist kissing your beautiful bird in the winter as your lips (or tongue) will surely stick to the aluminum, and you don't want Lee to see that now do you! Kelly (Hanger frame still standing after the 60 MPH winds this week) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry McFarland" Subject: Stratus-List: Winter flying...... > --> Stratus-List message posted by: "Larry McFarland" > > > Hi guys, > > My Stratus powered 601 is in its first winter season and temperatures have > dropped to the low teens. I'm wondering how cold is too cold to fly. > Given that the engine is kept warm, will it be able to stay at normal > operating temps, or are there things needed to keep it going? I'm looking > at reducing radiator exposure a bit, but not sure how much. Are there any > other problems out there? > > > Larry McFarland - 601HDS