Pilots – when you start searching for airport FBO info, it’s easy to get a lot of useless information. Sometimes, all you want to know is whether the airport has a hangar or tie-down service, the hours of the control tower, and what type of ground transportation is available. It never hurts to know what kind of fuel they sell and some updated information about the runways too. But few of these sites actually tell you how to take care of your plane. With so many pilots seeking information online these days, The Airport Authority is here to help you get the most from your airport FBO info site. That’s why we’re publishing this information that will help you get your plane ready for winter.
Whether you are planning to keep your plane in storage over the winter or ferrying passengers to and from their favorite ski slopes, flying in the wintertime is all about managing risks. Here, you will find some important tips on preparing your plane for the cold weather that is on the way. Of course, these tips are not designed to replace regular professional maintenance and service, but there is always something more you can do to keep your plane in great shape.
1) Know the weather. Always check the weather forecasts ahead of time when planning a winter flight. Even if you are not trained in meteorology, you can keep track of impending weather events and patterns that could impact your flight. Our advice is to look at weather patterns for three days prior to takeoff and keep in mind that these patterns can change very rapidly. Doppler radar and satellite imagery are great tools for aviators, but some of the best are available at the Aviation Digital Data Service and other FAA-sponsored systems such as www.duats.com.
2) Preheat your engine. This may go without saying if you are familiar with flying in the winter, but it is particularly important when your plane is not stored in a hangar. An engine-mounted pre-heater can work, but you will need to get to the airport early enough to start preheating it well in advance. Alternatively, some GA pilots are using cell-phone activated pre-heaters that allow the heater to start before you get to the airport.
3) Keep up with oil changes, and change the oil even if it is not due yet. One way of doing this is to take a short flight to get the oil temperature up and then inspect and clean the suction screen and oil filter. Run the engine for several minutes afterward to be sure there are no leaks and get the oil circulating throughout the engine.
As always, be sure to check with The Airport Authority (TAA) for the latest airport FBO info and general aviation tips.
