As we move through winter and the temperature drops, many private pilots experience a corresponding downturn in flying hours. This is especially so in Northern regions where the cold bites suddenly make even basic tasks, from preflighting and engine starts to simply opening that stubborn old hangar door, seem like chores.
This is a shame because as the weather gets colder, the flying gets better in certain ways. The scenery generally is gorgeous from autumn through winter, airports are not as busy now as they are in the summer, and many hotels at traditional warm-weather destinations are offering discounts and special packages to keep travelers coming.
