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Flying Through a Wisconsin Winter

A new aircraft owner learns lessons and discovers solutions that make winter flying more fun.

A plugged-in engine, a makeshift cowl cover, and a dusting of snow signify the arrival of winter…and with it, additional operational concerns. [Courtesy: Jason McDowell]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Winter aircraft ownership in Wisconsin presents unique challenges, making certain equipment essential for convenience and safety.
  • An engine preheater is a critical investment for pilots in unheated hangars to ensure warm, easy starts, reduce engine wear, and increase longevity.
  • A robust battery charger is vital for maintaining battery health and assisting with cold or difficult engine starts, especially when preheating isn't an option.
  • A powered tug is a highly recommended acquisition for safely and effortlessly moving aircraft, particularly those with specialized tires, in icy or challenging winter conditions.
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Winter is officially here in Wisconsin, and for the foreseeable future, the aircraft ownership experience will be defined by frigid temperatures, biting winds, and ever-changing ice and snow cover. Weeks of blank gray skies and dreary landscapes will occasionally become punctuated by blindingly vivid blue and white scenes, temperatures and density altitudes will both occasionally go negative, and Wisconsin citizens everywhere will break out their finest flannel ensembles.

As this is the first winter in which I can fly my airplane without the complications of major engine maintenance, I’m free to stumble through winter ownership unhindered by anything beyond general inexperience. One by one, I’m learning lessons and discovering solutions that collectively make winter flying more fun, and I’ve compiled a few products and lessons that have stood out thus far.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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