fall flying

[Robert Bradbury]

Hi All,
I was hoping to get a couple more days flying before the snow hits , but I do not like the low temps( 150 degrees F) flying in 30 - 40 degree F weather . I will only fly a few more hours before storing my float plane for winter .
What sould I do if anything, or is the 150 degrees acceptable for a few hours of operation . I really don't want to prepare the aircraft for winter type flying that I will not do .

Robert

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: fall flying

Don't know for sure, but I heard sometime in the past that anything over 140F on the oil temp is ok--and that the flight should last for at least 30 minutes at that temp. I would like to know for sure myself if this is right, so if anyone out there knows, let us know.

FD
N43684

[shawn coleman]

Re: fall flying

I I have an f19 with 1700 hrs on it and I have owned it since it has had 800 and and have used it at 10 below zero with about the same temperatures or sometimes lower that you say you have the mechanics I have talked to over the years since long as it is producing some heat and the oil is flowing . it will be OK . of course , there will be the moisture problem in the oil.

I use aeroshell 15/40 and have been told that using a straight weight oil would produce more heat, but that could cause problems in the winter . due to the thickness of the oil, I would be curious , what everybody here uses for oil and what their opinion is on it.

Thanks,

shawn
n208ap

[Dusty]

Re: fall flying

Duct tape is your friend. At those temps, you can probably get away with taping a hole or two on the bottom of the cowling. If that doesn't work, move to the oil pan hole in the front, then the base of the cylinders and work your way out.

Your oil will tell you if you're hot enough. Get the duct tape out when your dipstick starts growing rust. Lycoming says 180F min for every flight. I've never seen any guidance from Continental, but 140 or so keeps the rust out for me.

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: fall flying

I use Aero Shell 50 weight in the summer, 40 weight in the fall, and 30 weight in the winter. I also use Avblend with each oil change. I have an oil sump preheater. I would like to know the pros and cons regarding multi grade oil. Also, I assume that the duct tape goes over the hole in the lower center of the cowl that directs air to the oil pan. I guess I have never taped up that hole, but don't fly much under 30F. Maybe I can get more winter flights if I can find a way to keep the temps up.

FD
N43684

[alwaysoar]

Re: fall flying

I just checked the table of specs in the Continental overhaul manual and TCraft service manual for temps:

Service Manual: Min: 120 Max: 220
Table of specs: Min: 90 for takeoff Max: 220.

My cowl, that I plan to overhaul, has no oil pan hole in the lower center, and my temps never exceed 180F on the hottest days, and hang around 150-160 in 20 degree weather.

The TCraft manual says to use 30 wt cold and 40 wt warm weather. I use 15W-50.

[Dusty]

Re: fall flying

I'm not sure how stock my cowl is - I have a 100HP. I have (3?) louvers on the bottom of the cowl and a 1.5" gap at the back where it meets the firewall. I tape off the louvers and leave the gap alone. The "oil sump hole" is below the baffling on the front. It gets closed off in early August at 60F or so. The louvers get closed around freezing, and the cylinders get closed incrementally depending on temperature. Some planes have large holes around the tailpipes - they are worth closing down. I have the blanket on the oilpan/runners. I run 15/50 oil in the winter.

I had 170F oil at -25F OAT yesterday.

[gnflyn]

Re: fall flying

I flew my Tcraft today here in Lakeland, Florida. It only took a few minutes for oil temp to get to 180 degrees. Of course, it was 85 OAT.......

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: fall flying

Don't you just love these guys who live where it's warm and love to brag about the OAT when our butts are freezing up here in the cold.

FD