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Tips for Winter Operation

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Now that winter is in full swing there are a few more things to think about before you finish work for the night. Also there is a lot more prep in the morning before first flight. also there are things you may want to do between flights also.The following is a list of things you will want to think about the next time you are out in the cold.

 

Windows -

  1. Window covers are not good. They will scratch your window up. It is better to use a heater inside the cockpit to keep them clear.
  2. Use warm water (not hot water) with a bit of antifreeze to remove any frost on the window in the morning and wipe it with a clean cloth to remove the moisture
  3. Do not wipe frost from the window with a rag this will scratch the window.
  4. Put a small car heater in the cockpit if the weather is clear. if it is snowing, you will create a messy ice ball. In clear weather, the heater will keep the windows frost free.

Blades-

  1. There are two different types of blade covers. One type is tarp material, the other is more of a soft cloth. Do not use the soft cloth ones in wet weather. They will stick to the blades. The tarp ones are great in wet weather.
  2. Both will tear in heavy winds.
  3. I don't usually bother with blade covers if it is really cold because you will only see frost.
  4. Normal frost comes off the blades right away at start up. If you are in doubt though, it is always safer to just put them on than to not.
  5. If you are a keener, just put them on all the time and eliminate that 1% chance when you will guess wrong.
  6. Make sure not to put them on when it is windy because they will bend your trim tabs and put your main rotor out of balance. Also be careful when pulling them off, not to catch the trim tabs.
  7. When removing blade covers be careful if there is snow pilled on top. The blades may flap when covers are removed and make contact with airframe (especially two bladed rotor systems).
  8. If you get ice build up on the blades and have a hermin nelson you can put blade covers on and shoot the heat inside the covers to defrost the ice. ( be carefoll with composite blades, to much heat will damage them )

Battery-

  1. The best way to make sure that you have a good warm battery in the morning is to remove it from the helicopter and bring it inside for the night
  2. Use a battery blanket if you have reliable power.
  3. Best to do this as soon as the temp gets around zero celcius. To ensure the battery will give you the best start.

Airframe-

  1. The best thing to use is a herman nelson, but most times you don’t have access to one.
  2. Car heaters work great. You will need to put one or more in the engine, transmission, and cockpit. Careful of how many heaters you plug into one socket because they draw a lot of amps and will blow circuit breakers.
  3. Some aircraft have a tanis heating system (heating pads) installed which works great.
  4. Make sure the skids are not frozen to the ground. Easy way to do this is to rock the aircraft gently using the stinger/tail.
  5. When draining fuel in the morning check the flight manual. Some aircraft do not want fuel drained below a certain temperature.
  6. Put winter covers on. Boddy covers, head covers and tailrotor covers.
  7. Cover pitot static port. This keeps blowing snow out

De-icing-

  1. As for de-icing. Warm water and windshield washer fluid in a spray bottle or with a sponge works great. The -40 stuff is the best. If you did all the stuff right with your covers, you hopefully will not need this step though.
  2. Careful where you spray deicing fluid. It may harm certain surfaces
  3. Do not chip ice off the aircraft with anything!


Other Tips-

  1. Tie extension cords in a knot where they connect including a half hitch where you plug in. This way they cannot come unplugged
  2. Remove your GPS from the helicopter. They do not work when cold.
  3. Do not remove ice while helicopter is running. This will cause a massive out of balance. Also the shedding ice is dangerous.

 

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