Flight Training - January/February 2020 - 18

PREFLIGHT ASI NEWS

BY ALICIA HERRON

WINTER WEATHER WOES
CONSIDER THESE COLD-WEATHER FLYING TIPS

WINTER FLYING PRESENTS CHALLENGES THAT MAY BE

new to you. Here are some (but not all) factors to consider,
and tips to help keep you safe this season:
Check the freezing level. Even in typically warm and
sunny places, the freezing level will get lower in winter.
Don't let it surprise you and remember that any amount of
ice on a GA aircraft is bad news.
Dress for the worst weather along your route of
flight rather than for your destination weather or the
capabilities of your cabin heat. If you fly out of a truly wintry spot, even a short local flight can turn into a survival
scenario. You should be mentally and physically prepared
( jacket, boots, survival equipment) to spend at least a few
hours in the elements every time you fly-just in case.
Using a GPS tracker will be either a necessity or a
very good idea depending on how remote of an area you fly
in. With a GPS tracker that will allow you to call for help
in a place where you might not have cell service, you can
likely reduce the time in between a forced landing
and rescue.
Don't forget to take care of your airplane. Be patient
and let the oil heat up before you run your engine at
high rpm.

Pay close attention to runway conditions. Is there
ice on the runway? How will that change your takeoff and
landing performance? And will it affect your wind limit?
You don't want to find out after touchdown whether you
have enough space to stop. Give a pilot report (pirep) on
braking action when you fly to let other pilots know what
they'll encounter.
Is the weather terrible? Are you going to be pushing
all your limits if you go fly today? Despite all the best-laid
plans, weather can keep us grounded when we desperately
want to be aloft. Remember that getting weathered out
isn't a failure. Use the time you would've flown for ground
school, self-study, or a simulator flight if your school
has one.
Winter flying can be a special kind of magic-to see the
world blanketed in snow is worth the preparation. And if
you can't stand the cold, remember that spring is only a
couple months away.
Learn more about precipitation and icing in this Safety
Advisor (airsafetyinstitute.org/safetyadvisors/
precipandicing), brought to you by Sirius XM Aviation.
alicia.herron@aopa.org

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASI
This year marks the AOPA Air Safety Institute's seventieth anniversary, a celebration we'll commemorate with special giveaways and gear. ASI's commitment to improve aviation safety through
free education is made possible by donations to the AOPA Foundation-not AOPA membership
dues. We thank our donors at every level for helping us achieve this milestone.
aopafoundation.org/donate

18 FLIGHT TRAINING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

What would you do?
When we fly, the safest option
isn't always crystal clear. Join ASI
this winter for a free PilotWorkshops-based decision-making seminar. Find the seminar schedule here:
airsafetyinstitute.org/seminars

http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/safetyadvisors/ http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/seminars http://www.aopafoundation.org/donate

Flight Training - January/February 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - January/February 2020