After my cross-country odessey from KAWO to KWEA in August, I completely understand why someone might not want to fly an Ercoupe or any other GA aircraft 1200 miles in the winter. I can do 1200 miles in two days driving, but with low ceilings, potential icing conditions, and winter winds I would not want to guess how long it might take to make the trip. It's certainly doable in a day as long as the entire route of flight is under a strong high pressure area with no areas of MVFR forecast and you can fly four 3-hour legs. I would not want to do it solo. Whether you fly or drive, take your time and plan ahead!
Regards, Dave --- In [email protected], "Ed Burkhead" <e...@...> wrote: > > > What? Are you crazy? Why can't you fly it home in the winter? > > I flew my Coupe all winter down to about -10°F. You DO want to get a > pre-heat of the engine below about +20° or so. Winter has some of the > best flying weather even way up north. > > For winter flying, especially up north, do take some extra precautions. > > DO bundle up like a mummy to do the pre-flight with your heavy parka > over your lighter jacket, long underwear and good gloves and, if needed > a balaclava. You DON'T want to skimp on your preflight inspection at > ANY time of the year. > > The reason for the light jacket under the heavy parka is just in case > you do have a forced landing so you'll already have some layer of coat > on. > > Watch the weather reports and leave yourself plenty of time. Do GOOD > flight planning and use flight following or some other tracking. Borrow > or rent (or even buy) a Personal Locator Beacon to supplement your ELT > and, if anything happens, turn it on way up in the air right after > you've set up your stabilized glide toward your chosen landing spot. > > You Coupe will fly better in that very cold temperature. Engine power > is higher and climb is great! > > Make sure the heat muff is good before you take off. Make sure the cold > cabin air vent is closed even if that means putting duct tape over the > air intake for cabin air. My Coupe was quite comfortably warm at -5° > but some others are not (till they've been tweaked). You might want a > very good hat, gloves and insulated boots as you don't know this plane > till you've flown it. > > Where are you picking up the plane? > > Ed >
