Ready For Winter

Having owned an aircraft maintenance facility, Ive seen a lot of expensive damage to airframes and engines over the years directly resulting from improper winter care by the owner. Winter flying can be very rewarding and enjoyable for you and your passengers with the proper planning. But if winter flying isnt your cup of hot tea, and your airplane will sit outside, you may wish to consider what you can do to make that harsh…

A Bartlett

Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Aircraft owners must conduct comprehensive winter preparation, including specific maintenance (e.g., fresh oil, electrical/fluid checks, lubrication) and considering long-term preservation for inactive aircraft, to prevent costly damage and ensure safety.
Safe winter operations require careful planning for aircraft storage to mitigate snow, ice, and accessibility issues, alongside strict adherence to safety rules like never flying with ice or snow, and implementing proper, slow, and even engine preheating.
Pilots are also responsible for preparing themselves and their aircraft for winter conditions by having appropriate clothing, cold-weather survival gear, and essential safety equipment like carbon monoxide detectors.

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Having owned an aircraft maintenance facility, I’ve seen a lot of expensive damage to airframes and engines over the years directly resulting from improper winter care by the owner. Winter flying can be very rewarding and enjoyable for you and your passengers with the proper planning. But if winter flying isn’t your cup of hot tea, and your airplane will sit outside, you may wish to consider what you can do to make that harsh environment a bit easier on it.

Regardless of whether the airplane will be active during the winter months or secured until spring, we can prepare for the season by identifying some of the pitfalls pilots and owners may encounter. For example, owners may wish to perform the manufacturer’s recommended engine and airframe storage procedures if the airplane will be in non-flying status. Others may wish to take steps designed to ensure safe, reliable operations, many of which may fall well within the FAA’s preventive maintenance rules owners can perform. Regardless, now’s a good time to think about how we’ll handle winter.