Winter Cabin Comfort

[dennispip]

My first flight in real winter weather in a T-craft. OAT 24 deg F. A beautiful clear winter day. Had Tanis on through the night and easy start. Flying was great. I had plenty of clothes and a hat and stayed comfortable, but even with full cabin heat, you apparently don't fly in your shirtsleeves in a T-craft in the winter! I had a great day flying around North of Indy doing wheelies at several local strips. Hope everyone is geared up for the Holidays, although in our birds, we are actually geared down.

I guess if you are lucky enough to have a Taylorcraft, Santa has a very tough time figuring what else you might need.

[CraigH]

Dennis,
Have you ever looked under your seat sling to see if there is anything covering your bungees? My F21B has a home made duct tape cover to keep cool air from coming up from underneath. There's gotta be a better way?

[Forrest Barber]

Yes guys you need to block off a bit of incoming air so the max heat gets into the cabin. Insulation is the answer plus any additional heat you can get; added heat exchangers maybe, jump in you cold country guys...

[tcraft]

I like to use a couple of cans of hot chili with beans.

Tucker never seems to mind, maybe thats why his head is out the window all the time?

[CraigH]

Originally posted by tcraft
I like to use a couple of cans of hot chili with beans.

Maybe I'll try chili w/ jalapenos. My wife won't fly with me anyway

[tcraft]

Tucker likes Ranch Style. I guess cause he is a native texan.

[Bob Waldron]

My 1940 BL-65 has a good heater, but NO electrical. I have another airplane with NO heater, but it has an electrical system. For my other airplane, I just purchased an electric blanket. Used it last week and again today. Keeps us warm as toast. If our Taylorcraft had electric, I would get one for it, too. I highly recommend it. Mine uses about four amps. I had to install a cigarette lighter for it.

Bob Waldron
Stillwater, MN Brrrrrr!

[Forrest Barber]

I tried Ollerton's method , "gassed"up good at "Pancho's" and away we went. Funny thing about those Bassetts ; Kelli-Belle had her head out the window a lot too!!

At the factory , we discussed using electric heat from the BIG alternator on the F-21, 22's .... 60 amp just sitting there a lot of the time.... power to electric socks, suit ; heater with blower; we never got around to it. What would say 40 amps get us?? Where is Randy when we need him?

[Dick Smith]

Cold wx vest

Here is a link to a do it yourself, electric vest!! You've got your windcharger spinnin' and you're all toasty warm...!

http://www.wsaa.net/e_vest.htm

[matsuthunder200]

staying warm. Living here in alaska and flying in the winter on skes for the last 15 years in my 46 bc12d has made me realy study the art of staying warm. the first 5 years i had factory pipes and heat or should i say no heat. bunny boots and carharts a must. Then when i decided to upgrade to a bigger motor. A 90hp cont with no elec. I decided to go with duel cessna 150 pipes and mufflers.I also bought 2 pa-18 suppercub heat boxes and a y pipe so i could have duel heaters right and left side.Then i made a sheld out of that bubble insulation to fit from the back of the seat to the roof. Used felcro to attach it so all i haft to heat is the front cabin. By the way had all approved by faa with no prob. Results!! toasty warm all winter long.. Carb heat is also very much improved. Have alot of frinds up here in t-crafts most all of them have the bubble insulation covering the baggage comp. they say it improves about 50 percent........

[robbie]

Question on the bubble insulation?
Do you guys bring it around the bottom of the seat sling to cover the bungies cords hole?

[matsuthunder200]

Robbie What i do is cut a large section of the silver bubble insulation. Then i fit it from the upper sling tube to the roof or the skylight and from door post to door post. Cut slits for the trim and shoulder harnesses if you have them. Then i fasten it with felcro in a few spots so if you haft to get in the baggage comp its easy. Also i made mine about 6 years ago and i still use the same one.On the bungees i just coverd with regular fiberglass insulation.