Hacks To Help You Survive The Winter Flight

Winter is a great time for flying, with clear skies and no bugs to worry about. But it can also be dangerous if you’re unprepared. Here are some hacks that will help you stay safe when flying your light aircraft during winter.

At Knisley Welding Aircraft Exhaust System, we know how important it is to be able to fly safely, and we believe in the value of being able to make exhaust repairs that don’t compromise safety. For more information about our services, contact us at sales@knisleyexhaust.com or call us at (800) 522-6990 (toll-free).

1. Know your limitations (and your aircraft’s).

Your aircraft may be equipped with heated pitot tubes and anti-icing boots, but that doesn’t mean it can fly in a blizzard and still be safe. Winter can be a tricky time to fly. It’s cold, it’s dark, and the weather’s unpredictable.

Below are some guidelines to help you decide to fly.

• If you are not comfortable flying in the conditions, don’t fly!
• If you are not an experienced pilot, don’t fly in bad weather!
• If you are not confident in your flying skills, don’t fly!

2. Check your plane’s fuel and oil levels.

Checking the fuel and oil levels is a sensible step before each flight. It’s important that you don’t underestimate how important it is to check these regularly, especially in winter when we often have more fog than usual. 

With this in mind, it’s best to check your plane’s fuel levels at least once a month and oil levels at least once a week (if not every other day) during the colder winter months. 

To do this, use a dipstick that comes with all aircraft. This step lets you determine if your plane needs servicing or maintenance work done on any part of its engine.

3. Stay warm and wear comfortable clothing.

When winter comes, it is important to be prepared for the cold. Remember to wear a hat and gloves, as well as sunblock. 

If you plan on flying an aircraft that does not have an enclosed cockpit or landing somewhere remote, take extra water with you. So that if your plane were to crash land in the snow, you could survive until help came.

4. Pack provisions in case you get grounded.

You’re going to be flying in the winter, so you must prepare for the worst. You must pack provisions if you get stuck somewhere and can’t make it home on time. 

Bring a first aid kit, blanket and pillow, a fully charged mobile phone with emergency numbers written down (in case of an accident), food and water containers and even some snacks if you can’t reach your destination before sunset! 

It would also help if you always kept a flashlight in your plane regardless of when it is. If all else fails—bring along a book or magazine that can help keep boredom at bay during unforeseen delays.

5. Plan your flight according to the weather forecast.

The weather is a crucial factor to take into consideration when flying. It would help if you planned your flight according to the weather forecast to know how long you can spend in the air and what route you need to take.

When planning your flight, you must consider all kinds of factors: 

• wind speed and direction
• clouds or precipitation (rain or snow)
• temperatures at different altitudes (hot air rises)
• icing conditions and large-scale turbulence

When looking up forecasts on software apps, remember that there are different levels of accuracy depending on where they come from and which program they use. 

These apps have default settings for predicting cloud cover as well as visibility. They may also suggest alternate routes based on more detailed reports such as SIGMETs (significant meteorological information).

6. Let someone know your flight details.

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for your flight is to let your family and friends know where you are going when you expect to be back, and what flight details they need. 

Family members may be concerned if they hear nothing from you while flying during the winter months. They might not even know that you are out that day!

7. Keep your aircraft well-maintained.

Even if you do everything right, the unexpected can still happen. And it’s trickier to fly in colder weather than in summer.

Make sure your aircraft is equipped with a de-icing system, heater, and defogger. These will keep you safe in the event of flight delays or poor weather conditions. 

Also, ensure that your aircraft has a fuel booster pump. It will help you stay in the air longer during winter when airfields are often closed due to icy runways.

Don’t risk your or your aircraft’s safety by flying around with a broken exhaust system. Contact Knisley Welding Aircraft Exhaust System at sales@knisleyexhaust.com or call us at (800) 522-6990 (toll-free).