Winter checklist: Is your aircraft ready?
As cold weather filters in, start winterizing your aircraft. The experts in AOPA's Pilot Information Center recommend packing a winter survival kit with a winter jacket, gloves, and boots to keep in your airplane. Also, remember to use your cowling plugs, and in really cold areas, bring out your cowling blankets. Keep the fuel tanks topped off, switch to a multi-grade or lower viscosity oil (keep a few extra quarts in the baggage compartment), and put new batteries in your flashlights. Remember that cold weather is tough on your battery, so use it sparingly before starting the engine. And, on those cold mornings, make sure the engine has ample time to warm up before flying. For more information, see the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Safety Hot Spot: Winter Preflight.
November 6, 2006
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