Prop and Wings Iced over on my Yak!

[YaKs are BeSt]

Well I went flying today, Sunday.

The temperature on the suburban’s rear view mirror read 29 degrees F and it sure felt like it.

It was very cloudy and it was drizzling, I think it was freezing rain, very small drops, lots of fog.

It took longer than usual to assemble the plane, my hands were freezing, when you spill gasoline on your hands in the cold it kills. It happened to me and I thought they were going to fall off but it got a little better. I got a pair of glove liners from the house and cut the thumbs off to grab the sticks so when I was ready to start the DA up, and take off, I put them on and put my hands under my arm-pits for about a minute, it didn’t help much and I was so anxious I think I took off too soon.

Anyways, I flew around for about 5 minutes; there was absolutely no wind, well maybe just a tiny bit, but hardly any wind at all.

After about 2 minutes I dropped down into a hover, and TR’d about 5 feet of the ground for around a minute, I have never done that before with this plane that low and it felt great, when you are low like that it is soo easy to control it is unbelievable.

After 5 minutes my thumbs and hands were aching, I could feel the pain in my thumbs, the biting cold but nothing else. Before I could feel the prickles on the end of the sticks and they hurt, but now I couldn’t my thumbs were locking up and I was getting very scared, so I came around and landed, I do not know if I could of flown for another minute, I could barely move the right joint on my thumb, I am such a baby.

Well I took a look at the plane and there was Ice on it!!!!!! I was wondering whether the prop would get ice on it like a real plane or whether the wings would Ice over, I think they did because it was so humid outside and it was drizzling freezing rain. Oh by the way.

Things that were frozen: (I am really only typing this because I think it is so cool how my plane froze up!!)

1. The prop had a good amount of ice along the center portion extending out about 5 inches. Maybe a ¼ to 1/8 inches thick, on the front leading edge.

2. The leading edges of the wings had a little ice along them, extending down the whole wing, On the top and bottom, I don’t really understand this, its smooth ultrakote, wouldn’t the ice or rain or snow just bounce right off, but I guess it didn’t cuz there was ice all over them, and on the front of the ailerons in the hinge gaps.

3. There was also Ice on the rudder and a tiny bit on the elevator leading edges, not near as much on the elecator leading edges as there was on the wing but still a very visible amount.

4. Ice also accumulated on the front of the canopy where it touches the hatch and on the right bottom portion of the landing gear where the exhaust doesn’t hit. Oh and it was all over the screen of my 9303, that was really cool.

I guess I could of just landed every 10 minutes and wiped it off the prop and wings elevators and rudder and I could of flown all day, my thumbs were just so cold though so I quit, just one 5 minute flight at the field goal post park.

Here at the house I have those black powder in a pouch hand warmers so I think that I will tape some of those to the transmitter next time I fly and I will be able to go much longer, it isn’t going to freeze tomorrow but I will be ready if it does any more this year.

Oh and the DA started up real quick as it always does, its been out in the garage all day so I know it was in the freezing temps all day, it just started up with about 10 flips, ran flawless, I love that engine.

Any one else have a similar experiance this winter?

There is a picture of me and my basketball team standing in the freezing cold saturday, I will put that one up because its hilarious and you can see our misty breath.

[YNOT]

I like hard core pilots.

Maybe the ice accumulated while in the hover?

[JClark]

I just got back from flying in 20 degree weather. Had a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow.
I definitely had ice on the plane and my 8103. As a matter of fact the sleet was affecting the sicks on the radio by building up around them. Made flying interesting. Made two flights and had to wipe the ice off the plane before each one and also had to clear the ice from the hinge gaps. Had a blast though and would have had some video of the flights if the camera hadn't ate the tape.

[Toro]

As a full scale pilot, mist and cold temps are a situation that shouts watch out... Freezing rain will get ya in trouble quick.

[YaKs are BeSt]

Yah, I bet. As I left the field I heard this small plane fly by, I couldnt see it but could hear the engine. You could imagine what I was thinking to myself......

I think the majority of Ice accumulated when I made a couple of full throttle passes over this guys house who hates it when I fly.

He flies big electrics and doesnt think I should be flying at the field I am, he was a real hard ass one day and told me that he was gonna call the police if I didnt land. Well I flew for 5 more minutes and then went home cuz the wind was around 25 and gusting crazy and at 90 degrees to my grass patch of runway.

I guess it was too cold for him to come out today.

[Dennis C]

What a wussss. thats my kind of weather

[YaKs are BeSt]

I am sure someone would come in here and say something like, oh my goodness, how dare you interupt that guys peace and quiet and you shouldnt fly at a field with residents any where near.....

Fact is that it is kindof secluded and it is perfectly legal to fly there and the noise doesnt really bother anyone when I fly normally.

He is one of those guys driving a 30+mpg car with a bunch of Bush is an ass hole vote kerry bumper sticker liberal baby panzie guys.

I am totaly oppisite and you can only imagine what goes on, it is absolutly hilarious.!!!!!!

[Edge 540]

29...thats a heatwave
sincerely,
northeast Indiana

[YaKs are BeSt]

Yah I am all excited, I live in Texas, it dont but freeze nearly thrice a year.

go on and Mock me

[Edge 540]

Jealousy...sheer and utter jealousy!!!!

[ShortBus]

	Quote: Originally Posted by YaKs are BeSt
	Yah I am all excited, I live in Texas, it dont but freeze nearly thrice a year. go on and Mock me

dude....give the poor guy some peace and quite!!!!!!


You said thrice LOL!

[YaKs are BeSt]

Once, Twice, 'Three times'?

THRICEmakes you sound educated and its quick and easy!!!!!!