cold weather flying

I edited while you were posting.... Ron. 

My wife has poor circulation. Her hands "ache" when walking down the frozen food aisle in the grocery store. We went snow-sledding last season... she used the hand-warmers, and they made a huge difference.

They last up to 8 hrs... and are inexpensive.

I buy all different sizes. Some fit in your shoes, and I like the big wide ones that have a peel-off sticky back that you stick to the chest of your t-shirt. I've had a harder time finding those. Someone probably died from ignoring the warning not to stick it on your skin. They aren't quite as hot as the pocket packs, but they keep you toasty all day.

It's just iron filings that are so fine that they oxidize instantly on contact with air and flash off heat. That's why kneading them occasionally will rejuvenate the heat. When they're all done you end up with basically a packet of rust.

Don't forget to keep a small tin of Ronsonol lighter fluid in your box. 2-3 squirts in the venturi and it lights right off. I've flown in the single digits and found this is a must. The engine however develops a real nasty attitude and will immediately kick back . Wear a glove to start and we typically use two starter batteries linked together. Ken

One of our members, maybe Ian, who flies Coxes in really cold weather, wraps yarn in the head fins to help keep it lit during flights through the frigid air.

RknRusty wrote:One of our members, maybe Ian, who flies Coxes in really cold weather, wraps yarn in the head fins to help keep it lit during flights through the frigid air.

I do the yarn bit, works great! Keeps the glow lit for a good run. If after launch the engine stalls it is likely because of excess cooling. Wrapping the whole head is not necessary, just a turn in the bottom of each groove between the cooling fins is all it needs with some yarn of your choice. Tie the ends in a "big" knot so you can cut the knot and pull the yarn out later, if it matters.

I have flown down to about 10F, but I find that the heads start going out from cooling at about 40F.

Phil

The lowest temperature I have flown in is -5 deg C (20 deg F). That was a diesel combat model.

Fuel was stored in a small bottle and tucked down my shirt next to my tummy to keep it warm. The cylinder was pre warmed with a Zippo lighter. Once started there were no issues with the cold air.

The glow plug boys usually had cowled aeroplanes which stopped them warming the head with a cigarette lighter but they used to put a couple of drops off Zippo fluid in the intake and this helped starting. Again, fuel in small bottles kept warm by body heat.

Some used to substitute 10% of the methanol with petrol.

These days some use a fancy gadget and battery to keep the glow plug lit. I don't know how this works but here is one

http://www.southhertsmodels.co.uk/IGs.htm

Being a motorbiker I am used the the cold and the effects of "wind chill". If you are out in the cold then make sure the top of your head (particularly if there is a lack of hair!) is covered along with neck, wrists and ankles. That is where the most heat is lost.

I also have one of these in my pocket (another Amercan product that we pay dearly for!)

http://www.zippo.co.uk/product.php?id=542

Being a Biker - I have warm thermal gear. One of the best is a neck warmer rather than a scarf

http://www.bike-gear.com/buy/edz-thermal-neckwarmer-ride-recommended_235.htm

We've had a cold winter here in Thunder Bay. Several nights in December went to -36F, not even mentioning wind chill. While I've never flown when it got THAT cold, flying in +20F was not uncommon. To start our little 4 strokes, a propane torch played on the cylinder fins worked wonders to get these little mills started.
They are also far more prone to throwing propellers in these extreme low temperatures, possibly due to the higher air density.
We also flew 0.049 U/C in spring condtions (maybe 30F) when younger. At least then, you didn't freeze your hands as badly.