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Keep the batteries in your flight box, ni-start, and radio
equipment well charged. The cold cuts back on the
efficiency of batteries. They don’t hold their charge as
long as in summer. Leave your radio, flight box, etc.,
inside your car or somewhere warm when not in use
(as long as you leave your car running like almost
everyone does).
Switch to a higher nitro content in winter (15%). The
engine will run better because of the higher operating
temperature. Keep your fuel warm too, if possible.
Keep your airplane in a warm place. It usually is the
difference between getting your engine started and
ready to fly or just going for a nice drive. A trick to try—
set your airplane under the engine of your car if you
have the ground clearance to do so.
If you keep your airplane in your car with the skis on,
make sure when you bring it out you immediately push
it around in the snow until the skis are cold, otherwise
the snow sticks to the skis and the airplane won’t glide
well.
After you get your engine running, leave the ni-start or
plug lead on for a little while. Let the engine run until it
warms up. You don’t need to rev it up or stab at the
throttle. Just let it run for a few minutes. You’ll probably
have to set the idle speed up slightly higher, even after
the warm-up period.
In the winter, you can also connect an exhaust tube to
the muffler in order to keep the fuel from freezing to
your airplane. If fuel freezes to the muffler, it is difficult
to remove until you warm up the airplane. Then it runs
all over. You’ll probably have to richen the engine
some, but it’s nice having a clean airplane to take
home. For tubing, I use a piece of clear plastic fuel line
that can be purchased in any auto store. A hose clamp
will hold the tubing on, and to keep the clamp from
coming loose due to vibration, Hot Stuff or epoxy works
well.
from the Twin City Flyers Newsletter
Dan and Yvonne Twomey, editors
Festus MO
No Treasurers report. Roads are terrible, so Joe Z.
probably choose to forego the trip to Rice Lake.
Events report from Leon:
Leon reported that there will be a flying event at his
field on February 12th, the “Snow Fly”. Leon’s field
will be plowed so you can fly with skis or wheels,
the event will be spot landings. There may be
prizes at the event, this is to be determined.
1.
Leon is tentatively planning a combat event on
April 16th, “Ice Break”. This may be a
sanctioned event with at least eight combat
flyers or more.
2.
On the schedule is a June 11th Float and Fly at
Grampa’s train shop.
3.
We are looking at holding monthly fun fly
events with simple and fun contests and
prizes. If you have an idea you would like to
see at these fun flies, please contact Leon. The
emphasis is on fun here.
4.
We will be putting an emphasis on our June
18th Aquafest fun fly event to be our largest
event of the year, inviting flyers from far away
places, and hoping to have concessions
available. As always, we need volunteers to
help run the event.
5.
If you would like to contact Leon, you can do so
by emailing him at leeol@centurytel.net.
Open Discussion:
It was mentioned that we should have a link to our
club web site on the AMA chartered club finder.
(Darin has e-mailed the AMA webmaster asking
him to do this. Please look for it in the very near
future.)
John Moen won the 50/50 drawing, and donated
ALL of the proceeds to the club, $9.00.
Leon mentioned that he found a good web site for
batteries www.cheapbatterypacks.com they will
custom build packs for you too.
There may be a few of us heading to Toledo Ohio
for the Weak Signals show. Contact Darin or Kevin
if you are interested. We will be leaving on March
31st, returning on April 2nd.
Flying in the Cold
Now that the cold is here again, here are a few
reminders about flying in freezing weather.