Winter Warming Strategies

[skippydiesel]

Recent trip to The Oaks - Condobolin, NSW, saw 1C, for 90 minutes, at 4500ft. Felt like my feet & calves were about to drop off as I dismounted on arrival.

 

As a result of the above experince, have been thinking on workable solutions for our short but sometimes uncomfortably cold winter flying months;

 

Plumb in the traditional hot air from silencer/exhaust system.

• Well tested, effective aircraft cockpit heating solution BUT will require considerable fabrication, increased risk of CO poisoning  & I suspect cockpit noise levels. Will add little/nothing for 10 months of the year.

 

Make up an automotive style coolant heater with small fan to circulate.

• Doable but as with above a fair bit of work involved taking the bird out of operation during some of our best flying conditions.  Additional weight (got to add at least 3-5 kg). There may also be engine overcooling issues and due to long coolant hoses, additional joins  = heightened failure risk.

 

High Top Ugg Boots

•  Yeah but will require changing to regular shoes for any serious ground activities (long walk to point Percy, etc). Bulky when not in use (aircraft space challenged) No longer as cheap as in my youth (last time I had a pair) $70 - $320

 

Heated socks that have been developed for winter activates such as skiing.

• This has real potential. No aircraft mods required.  Battery powered. Some rechargeable.  Claims of adjustable temperature from about 38C upwards (seems a tad hot to me). Relativly low cost (from low $ teens to about $450, with most under $100). Light weight and low volume. This might just be the way to go for our short winter.

 

I am keen to hear from anyone who has experince using heated socks.😈

 

Edited Monday at 12:27 PM by skippydiesel

[Marty_d]

https://www.bellsaviation.com/category/heatedsuits.html

[onetrack]

Waay back in the late 1960's and early 1970's, I spent a lot of time driving earthmoving equipment, that all had open operator stations (read: no cabins of any kind). In Winter, strong Southerly winds would turn your fingers blue at the controls.

So we found that the Military surplus stores sold heated flying suits! - cheaply! And they were 24V, too - and thus could be hooked directly into the Cats 24V electrical system!

 

It was pure luxury, wearing these things on bitterly cold days and nights, with winds howling straight off the Antarctic ice floes, across the flatlands of the W.A. Wheatbelt!

The only problem we found, was the suits were all cotton, and didn't stand up too well to the rigours of earthmoving equipment use! They had a relatively short life, as compared to the original designed use.

But they were the bees knees, when those howling bitterly cold Southerlies blew in mid-Winter! Those winds were referred to as "lazy winds" - they went through you, rather than around you!  I think Martys advice is excellent advice!

 

The only other thing I could suggest, is some lightweight insulated panels glued to the interior of your aircraft cabin panels. You can even buy the stuff with the adhesive already applied to one side of it.

[Moneybox]

1 hour ago, skippydiesel said:

Recent trip to The Oaks - Condobolin, NSW, saw 1C, for 90 minutes, at 4500ft. Felt like my feet & calves were about to drop off as I dismounted on arrival.

 

As a result of the above experince, have been thinking on workable solutions for our short but sometimes uncomfortably cold winter flying months;

 

Plumb in the traditional hot air from silencer/exhaust system.

• Well tested, effective aircraft cockpit heating solution BUT will require considerable fabrication, increased risk of CO poisoning  & I suspect cockpit noise levels. Will add little/nothing for 10 months of the year.

 

Make up an automotive style coolant heater with small fan to circulate.

• Doable but as with above a fair bit of work involved taking the bird out of operation during some of our best flying conditions.  Additional weight (got to add at least 3-5 kg). There may also be engine overcooling issues and due to long coolant hoses, additional joins  = heightened failure risk.

 

High Top Ugg Boots

•  Yeah but will require changing to regular shoes for any serious ground activities (long walk to point Percy, etc). Bulky when not in use (aircraft space challenged) No longer as cheap as in my youth (last time I had a pair) $70 - $320

 

Heated socks that have been developed for winter activates such as skiing.

• This has real potential. No aircraft mods required.  Battery powered. Some rechargeable.  Claims of adjustable temperature from about 38C upwards (seems a tad hot to me). Relativly low cost (from low $ teens to about $450, with most under $100). Light weight and low volume. This might just be the way to go for our short winter.

 

I am keen to hear from anyone who has experince using heated socks.😈

 

 

If you're concerned about CO2 entry could you possibly plumb radiator cooling air instead of using an exhaust shroud?

[Thruster88]

For the thruster I use a freezer suit, very effective. Snow ski pants would be OK in an enclosed aircraft. 

[T510]

I've been planning to install seat heaters in my next build.

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004981517799.html?src=google&pdp_npi=4%40dis!AUD!24.75!19.79!!!!!%40!12000031230573150!ppc!!!&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=742-864-1166&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&&albagn=888888&&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en1005004981517799&ds_e_product_merchant_id=107747560&ds_e_product_country=AU&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=21819463808&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21819486122&gbraid=0AAAAA99aYpft7EHYrVvAiOBPb8L5mgJa2&gclid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J7dA5vgSkLeNIzTvswhJ_H-TH0CaGYk2KQmiRQh5DtSpto1yLdtNqYaAp29EALw_wcB

[BurnieM]

Have a look at motorcycling gear. It works well for this.

 

[skippydiesel]

34 minutes ago, BurnieM said:

Have a look at motorcycling gear. It works well for this.

 

Thanks BurnieM - the only respondent who has directly addressed my question. Not saying the others don't have merit, they do but for the most part are overkill, in my application, for our short winters  - lower extremity cold discomfort.

 

Back to BurnieM - Are you referring to heated motorcycle gear or just motorcycle gear in general? If the former, please expand on your experince /knowledge.😈

[sfGnome]

Ski thermals (long sleeve and legs) under your normal warm clothes. If you’re lucky, Aldi might be doing a Wednesday special. Uniqlo also do good stuff relatively cheaply. The only down side it that you’ll rapidly overheat if it’s warm on the ground, although then it’s just a matter of removing the outer layers. 

[skippydiesel]

37 minutes ago, sfGnome said:

Ski thermals (long sleeve and legs) under your normal warm clothes. If you’re lucky, Aldi might be doing a Wednesday special. Uniqlo also do good stuff relatively cheaply. The only down side it that you’ll rapidly overheat if it’s warm on the ground, although then it’s just a matter of removing the outer layers. 

Sounds cosy but of the feet?😈

[facthunter]

I'd use electric sox and gloves  Some Motorcycles have heated Handlebars. Have a light weight draft proof flying suit with Wool under it . Fly Lower. Get in your car and put the heater on. Have a Bowl of hot soup. Run around the Block.  Nev

[BurnieM]

1 hour ago, skippydiesel said:

Back to BurnieM - Are you referring to heated motorcycle gear or just motorcycle gear in general? If the former, please expand on your experince /knowledge.😈

Not heated just regular motorcycle gear.

Generally jackets have a wind and waterproof outer layer with a quilted inner (sometimes removable inner).

May be a bit bulky.

Some sort of ankle boot, waterproof hiking boots may be fine. 

Motorcycle gloves are available in a variety of thicknesses.

A 'neck sock' is good (used like a scarf).

I probably would not bother with pants, just jeans.

 

If you have a friend who rides see if they have any old second hand gear and as new m/c gear is not cheap.

 

Second option;

Look at a cheap ski jacket. Normally wind/waterproof even the low priced ones.

 

 

[facthunter]

Mitts can be better than Gloves, for cold.  Nev

[BurnieM]

I have both. I prefer gloves with fingers.

The trick is to put the gloves on before your hands get cold.

 

[Marty_d]

The only problem with motorbike gloves is that it might be hard to manipulate small switches, toggles etc.  Depends on the type I guess. I wear leather gauntlet gloves on the bike and they're not very supple.

[facthunter]

You have got to keep them soft. (The Mitts or Gloves). Gloves by their nature cannot easily be insulated  Frozen digits can't feel anything. Electric heating would be the go.. I recon. It wouldn't take much ergs either.  Remember it's 2 C for every 1000 ft  with the standard lapse rate. Nev

[T510]

https://www.bigw.com.au/product/30-pairs-60pcs-foot-warmers-adhesive-heating-pads-shoes-feet-for-ski-snow-winter/p/9900045151?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20845796614&gbraid=0AAAAADkZkLhKgcVE0i38SsaDISHIbul1Q&gclid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J7lM49HcZQfdyCW2MvZkccEEY4OQNz1rzgivKABlYfxBBqq_jO7rJEaAoiQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I have used similar to these working in the arctic circle. Do a great job.

 

You could also try a cup of concrete 😉

[skippydiesel]

FOLKS 

 

ITS MY FEET & CALVES that are cold

 

Not hands, arms,  torso, etc

 

Has no one used, have an opinion on the efficacy, cost effectiveness of heated socks?????

 

😈

Edited Tuesday at 05:56 AM by skippydiesel

[BrendAn]

11 hours ago, Thruster88 said:

For the thruster I use a freezer suit, very effective. Snow ski pants would be OK in an enclosed aircraft. 

and a colour matched mankini in the summer. 😁

Edited Tuesday at 06:15 AM by BrendAn

[Marty_d]

3 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

FOLKS 

 

ITS MY FEET & CALVES that are cold

 

Not hands, arms,  torso, etc

 

Has no one used, have an opinion on the efficacy, cost effectiveness of heated socks?????

 

😈

Just buy a pair and find out!

[Thruster88]

Perhaps a systems approach rather than treating the symptoms, cold feet. In a sustained 1°C dressing appropriately will keep the core temp up and blood will flow to the feet. If you get a little hot even the body will use feet as a blood cooler. Not a doctor so this may be complete bs.

 

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Cold weather can affect circulation, leading to health issues. Learn how to protect your vascular health in winter with tips from the experts at The Vascular Care Group.

 

[skippydiesel]

Thanks Thruster however its the calves & feet that are cold not my upper body, head and hands.

 

IF THEY WORK the socks (which brand?) will be the perfect , well targeted, cost effective, solution😈

[Moneybox]

13 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Thanks Thruster however its the calves & feet that are cold not my upper body, head and hands.

 

IF THEY WORK the socks (which brand?) will be the perfect , well targeted, cost effective, solution😈

 

I cant help with the feet but this might work on the calves?

 

[Litespeed]

Buy quality fine weave Woolen socks with 'Thinsulate' or similar heat barrier tech.

To this you add thin real silk inner socks that go up to the top of the calves.

The silk really boosts the heat retention and is very comfy on the skin.

 

You can also use silk inner gloves and leather driving gloves.

Bike gloves are designed for a curved hand around the bars and are cut/stitched for this, so would be uncomfortable. 

 

Getting such silks,  and gloves?

Web search.

Socks most workwear shops/ motorbike shops.

[facthunter]

As well as cold you should worry about circulation and clots forming if you don't keep moving a bit. Keeping hydrated plays a part there also. Exhaust muff heaters have a history of CO leakage but CO can enter through  almost any place as the interior is usually below atmospheric pressure.. Flying in Below zero C air can include the risk of airframe icing if you enter cloud or on  descents with a Cold soaked airframe. Nev