I love winter flying for the scenery, the less-crowded skies and because airplanes generally like it, too. Cold, dry air in my Northeast region this time of year often brings density altitudes of minus 1,500 feet msl or lower, giving engines a bit more power and wings a little more lift. When the conditions are right, my club’s Cessna 172 accelerates and climbs almost like a hot rod.
But it’s still winter, and the bone-chilling preflight routine and drawn-out minutes in the cockpit before the heater kicks in can make one wish for warmer surroundings. Well, having an airplane means never having to wish, sort of. It is possible to fly south, find the sun, and switch to short sleeves in a few hours—or at least the same day.
