Winter Rebel Flying

[John R. Davidson]

Hello All,

I am planning to do some winter flying this year and am looking for some advice and guidelines on preheating the engine, an O-320 in my case.
The Rebel lives in a fully enclosed, unheated hangar, with electricity. The plane has a Tannis type sump heater.

1) At what outside temperature do you consider pre-heating desirable, mandatory?

2) Is it necessary, advisable, a waste of time to have a hot air blower circulating air over the cylynders? I've seen some propane powered, some electric powered.
One of my ultra-light friends uses an electric paint stripping gun to preheat his engine. I keep telling him its a snowmobile engine, and likes the cold, but to no avail.

3) I'm not likely to spring for custom insulated cowl covers, but is there any point in wrapping an old sleeping-bag around the cowls while warming?

4) Would it be unwise to put the Tannis on a programmable timer set to come on a couple of hours before I expect to arrive next time? Don't want to arrive to a pile of ashes and cinders.

5) Are there any other thoughts, ideas, considerations to make this project safer, more convenient, more comfortable?

Thanks for your suggestions.

John



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