Flying amphibs in freezing weather
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:34 pm
There was a discussion here recently about what might happen if you fly
amphibs on the water in near freezing weather. Well, one of the guys here,
put that to the test yesterday.
It was a very nice clear day here, but upper air very cold, and surface
temps just below or near freezing. He did a flight over one of the local
lakes here, but did not land. When he got back, he landed on the Fraser,
with the intention of driving up the ramp at Pitt Meadows. However, the
water froze the front gear channels and he had trouble getting the gear
down. He taxied around for a while on the water, kept trying, and finally
got it loose and put the gear down. When he got up the ramp, he said there
was still streaks of ice on the floats. Needless to say, he departed Pitt
Meadows on the runway, and kept the gear down until he got back to Langley.
My theory is that when he was flying, the air temps were well below
freezing. Then when he landed, the water splashing up at the bows quickly
froze in the front gear well with the very cold metal.
I had thought of possibly going flying yesterday, too, but with the cold
temps, decided against it. Probably a very good decision, as I would have
landed at Harrison, then might have been stuck in the air trying to get the
gear down after coming back to Langley.
I have flown near freezing temps before in the winter, with no problems, but
not quite this cold, and temps definitely above freezing at the surface. I
remember the gear being stiff to move up and down, but not stuck. Always
good to learn from other's experiences, though, so will be sure to keep a
good safety margin before I go flying on the water in the winter again.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Walter
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amphibs on the water in near freezing weather. Well, one of the guys here,
put that to the test yesterday.
It was a very nice clear day here, but upper air very cold, and surface
temps just below or near freezing. He did a flight over one of the local
lakes here, but did not land. When he got back, he landed on the Fraser,
with the intention of driving up the ramp at Pitt Meadows. However, the
water froze the front gear channels and he had trouble getting the gear
down. He taxied around for a while on the water, kept trying, and finally
got it loose and put the gear down. When he got up the ramp, he said there
was still streaks of ice on the floats. Needless to say, he departed Pitt
Meadows on the runway, and kept the gear down until he got back to Langley.
My theory is that when he was flying, the air temps were well below
freezing. Then when he landed, the water splashing up at the bows quickly
froze in the front gear well with the very cold metal.
I had thought of possibly going flying yesterday, too, but with the cold
temps, decided against it. Probably a very good decision, as I would have
landed at Harrison, then might have been stuck in the air trying to get the
gear down after coming back to Langley.
I have flown near freezing temps before in the winter, with no problems, but
not quite this cold, and temps definitely above freezing at the surface. I
remember the gear being stiff to move up and down, but not stuck. Always
good to learn from other's experiences, though, so will be sure to keep a
good safety margin before I go flying on the water in the winter again.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Walter
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