Cold Weather Start Up

Steve Chenoweth · Post by **Steve Chenoweth** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:18 am

There was a recent article in one of the avaiation magazines that starting a cold engine (below freezing) could add as much wear as 500 hours of cruise flight. I would like to solicit some opinions on the following:

Below what temperature should we be concerned?

What are some of the techniques used to heat the engine, oil, etc. to allow a cold weather start?

Thanks,

Steve

Ron Spiker · Post by **Ron Spiker** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:11 pm

My coldest day flying in my Brantly so far has been 7°F. Any time the temperature is below about 50-60° I'll plug in my oil pre-heater for a few hours. The colder it is, the longer before the flight I plug it in, even over night. When its below freezing I'll also put a heat lamp in the bubble, one or two pointing at the top of the engine, and one back on the T/R gear boxes a few hours before the flight. I also run the turbo heater in the hangar for a while, to get everything warmed up a little. The battery is kept charged with a good trickle charger.

There are many ways to heat up your helicopter, and many probably better than this approach. It has worked for me so far, and I have not had a failed start due to the cold.