winter flying?

[badger bob]

winter is coming to nw iowa and we want to do some flying. ( 7aca - a65-8 ) do we need a cover plate on the front cowl just below the prop and just over the air cleaner? if so where can we buy one? and were using arowshell 100 and were thinking about changing to xc 20-50. what do you guys think. thanks Bob

[MikeB]

Hi Bob,
Personal opinion but I think you at least need the plate over the oval hole below the prop. Tends to keep the oil temperature up. Also, some kind of a partical plate over the outlet of the lower cowl is a big help keeping the temperature up (and your toes warm ). I've never used a plate over the air cleaner as I don't believe it's 'certified' for whatever that's worth but I have a friend who has a J-3 that swears by it. You probably have to make whatever plates you need.

I've used Phillips 20-50 XC for 25+ years in both my Cherokee and Champs.....summer and winter but you'll probably get a lot of opinions on oil. Kind of like what's best...Champs or Chiefs..
MikeB

[Red(neck) Barron]

I've always used Aeroshell 15W-50, year around.

I have a cover for the air inlet beneath the prop but also have partial air blocks for the cylinder inlets. If I make it over to the airport this week I'll take a couple of pictures of them and post them here. These are easy to make out of sheet aluminum yourself.

In a pinch, duct tape always does the job and it wouldn't be the first time it was used either. Quick and easy to apply and adds that certain, 'I can do it myself' touch to a plane.

[badger bob]

thanks guys for the help. mike it think that ill make a cover for the ovel hole. and i think that ill go with the xc 20-50. thats what thelasr owner used. and i like your L16. good luck on your trip south. Bob
Larry yes i would like to see how you got your covers set up. i thought about the ol duct tape but iam not to shure. i just came in from the shop from working on some new wheels for the champ and its raining and the wind just switched to the nw and its giting colder. and its all coming your way LOL thanks for the help. Bob

[Red(neck) Barron]

You keep that wet stuff up north, I'm not done with my outside projects yet. Wind from the south at 20 here now but temps around 50.

The Duct tape comment was kind of tounge in cheek. I wouldn't do it unless I had to because you will be using a bunch of 'Goo be gone' next spring when the tape is pulled of. If you're lucky enough not to pull some paint off with it.

[james gevay]

Bob, you will definitely need the oval crankcase cover on, it cools the crankcase and oil tank. The goal is to keep the heat in those as much as possible in the winter.
I don't remember where I saw this idea years ago, but I made these covers to keep some heat in the cylinders. I've also been told to cover part of the barrels but never the heads.
I have the old original style of nose bowl, with the small openings and the flanges around the perimeter, so these covers worked well for me. If you have a nose bowl without the flanges you may have to drill holes to keep them from sliding around, something I didn't want to do.

I made the covers from .032 as that's all I had at the time, I would use .040 next time, but they still work well without any problems. I cut some old inspection cover snaps in half and used them to keep the covers in place against the back side of the cowl opening. I think the pictures will show you what I mean. I also found some plumbing P-trap to direct "ram air" into the openings for the carb heat and cabin heat openings at the bottom of the cylinder/cowlings. I also have the old Aeronca heat muffs.

To install them, just put them in place and swivel the inspection cover snaps behind the cowl and snug the nuts down with a screwdriver and wrench for the self locking nuts, takes all of maybe 5-10 minutes.
The best part is, you don't have to drill any holes in your cowling, and no duct tape is used to remove paint next spring.
I did some tests with the oil temps, and I think they raised the temps about 20-30F with them on.
Also, flying on a sunny day really makes a big difference, I was pretty comfortable for about an hour around 30F, but it did feel good to get back and sit in a warm car afterwards.

Pic 1 is the front, 2 is the backside and 3rd is the installed view.

[badger bob]

Larry the duct tape sticky stuff is no big deal to clean off. but i didnt want to suck the tape in to some place that would cause big trubble. and it ant gittin and warmer up hear LOL.
James that looks like a good idea. i may have to give it a try. ill let you guy know how it turns out. thanks Bob

[Dan1940Chief]

I use aluminum tape over the navel (hole below the prop) and it works very well. Oil temps are in range and carb and cabin heater actually work!

[badger bob]

Dan that tape idea looks darn good. i just checked out your sight about your 40 chief. nice machine. thanks for the ideas Bob

[N86250]

I got my 2-862 winter cover plate from Univair about 15 years ago. I have never used it as it is going to scratch the paint. A kidney shaped piece of cardboard slightly larger than the hole and duct tape has worked for me. I am considering drilling out the rivets that hold the flat springs to the cover and reassembling with clip on tinnermans and long screws to make the Univair part more user friendly. The cover I had with my first Chief was like that and I assumed it was original with the airplane. There is an obsolete Continental service letter, M64-8, that describes the construction and installation of the baffle for the induction intake. Supposedly it was a fix for engines that quit on rollout or when pulled back to idle in cold weather. There is also a Continental service bulletin, M86-12, that gives recommendations on fuel and oil grades. Both can be found by searching the internet. jrh

[Red(neck) Barron]

Here is a look at my nose plugs for my Champ.


The weather has been holding this year, so hopfully next week after the Christmas events have ended, I can spend some time with my plane. It will be moving to a different airport too, which will be a 20 minute drive instead of a 45 minute one. Hoping that will translate into more hours in the air next year.

[badger bob]

Larry thats what i came up with thanks to the guys on this board. its been working good so far but the weather has been good to. now stop messing a round and git those skis on and git having fun. Bob

[Red(neck) Barron]

Bob, what prexactly do you 'spect me to ski off of? Greased grass? I'm doing every snow dance I know.

[badger bob]

Iam in the same boat . no snow this week but next week to much snow. greased grass now you got me thinking. LOL Bob

[lowflyer]

The snow dance isn't working here in southwest Iowa either... I have a barn full of dusty unused snowmobiles, and some dusty skis for my Champ.... I'm ready.

I have been flying the Champ as much as possible though. She is winterized, and the air leaks slowed to a minimum.... maybe... I also have a spot on the airport (HNR) all picked out for ski plane operations, as well as the field by my house.

For those of you that don't enjoy winter... here's a picture from a 100 degree day in august. We race vintage flat track. When we race the Kansas Fair Circuit we use my uncle's hangar for a race shop. This is taken at the McCook, NE airport (MCK). The King Air is just parked there because he wanted to park close to that cool Champ....


Josh