AOPA wrote:Question: What is the best way to remove frost or ice from my airplane?

Answer: If you are not pressed for time, have your flight school or FBO put the airplane in a heated hangar for an hour or so to allow accumulated ice to melt off.

Golly how come I never thought of that?! 'Course, being pressed for time, I'd still probably opt for beating on frozen covers and engine blankets, scraping the entire airframe with a push broom, hauling hot water in pails, jugs, or even air-pressurized fire extinguishers, lighting off the Northern Companion, or maybe firing up a Honda generator to run a propane-fired hot-air blower, and oh yeah- trying to somehow get some heat inside the cockpit so that the windscreen doesn't instantly frost up when I finally climb in, huffing and puffing.

LOL,
and a happy winter solstice to you too

My 150 is getting thrown out of the hanger. I know this won't help with the ice but tell me if this will work for an engine heater. (I use a credit card for the Ice) I just bought one of the Giant Jon E Handwarmers on ebay. I want to get a cowl cover and then put the handwarmer inside the cowl and cover it up the night before I will be flying. There is a flame inside the handwarmer but it says you can carry them in your pocket so it sounds pretty safe. They will run up to 36 hrs on a fillup and if it works I will pack one in the planes in case I get stuck somewhere in the cold. Good Idea or will I blow up my plane? What do you think?

For you guys with 110 power, I have a boat with a some "Goldenrods" inside. They are sold in marine stores and used in the engine compartments. Just long 110 volt heaters about an inch across. They don't get real hot but would keep it above freezing. Course, it might just be better to move somewhere warm!

First choice, you gotit, move somewhere warm.

A Even a little flame would make me uncomfortable.

Sounds like you may not have power nearby. Guess that would be my next thing , would be to move a little closer to some power.

NAPA sells 110V/150+ watt heating pads that you can stick to your oil pan. Should do a pretty good job for ya. Throw a blanket or sleepin bag over the cowl, plug the air intakes, etc.

I have rief heaters on mine, and put them on a timer so they come on during the night, and the engine is nice and warm when I get there in the AM.

Gary

shortfielder wrote:
I have rief heaters on mine, and put them on a timer so they come on during the night, and the engine is nice and warm when I get there in the AM.

Gary

Same here, Gary. I also have a small ceramic heater for inside to cabin. I set the timer to come on about an hour before I plan to get to the hangar.

denalipilot wrote:

AOPA wrote:Question: What is the best way to remove frost or ice from my airplane?

Answer: If you are not pressed for time, have your flight school or FBO put the airplane in a heated hangar for an hour or so to allow accumulated ice to melt off.

Golly how come I never thought of that?! 'Course, being pressed for time, I'd still probably opt for beating on frozen covers and engine blankets, scraping the entire airframe with a push broom, hauling hot water in pails, jugs, or even air-pressurized fire extinguishers, lighting off the Northern Companion, or maybe firing up a Honda generator to run a propane-fired hot-air blower, and oh yeah- trying to somehow get some heat inside the cockpit so that the windscreen doesn't instantly frost up when I finally climb in, huffing and puffing.

I had a guy who used to fly in Alaska tell me he carried a big pot with a lid in his plane. He told me he has had to drain the oil and heat it on a fire before to get the plane started. Hopefully I won't ever have to do this but maybe some of you Alaska guys can share storys or ideas on keeping a plane warm when there is no power.

Jerry

DP,

Your bringing back fond memories Pumping and keepin a wachful eye on the old northern companion whilst ropen wings and tail feathers, runnin the hair dryer behind the panel to warm up the old gyro's, trying to fold up the frozen covers...
Not sure if it helped the plane much, but i was usually swettin by the time it was all done.

Never did find a good technique for keeping the ice from building up on the inside of the wind screen. Tried holding my breath, breathing out the side window. Always ended up having to wipe franticly to keep a little space open to see out of.

Pretty spoiled now, the planes in a hanger, not that in ever gets cold here. But, if the job works out for White Mountain, i'll get to relive the good old days

Chris

If there is no power, a 1000W Honda generator works pretty good to power an electric heater. I have given up on the ones that stick on the oil pan. I guess we don't put them on right or something, because every one I have ever had (including ones others have installed on my airplane) burn up the first season. I'm scared of them. They are hard to find, but a small 500W electric heater inside the cowl, with another in the cabin, is a good way to go. You need a good engine blanket also, meaning one that is made for airplanes and fits well, if it is really cold.

Wing covers are nice for the ice, snow, or frost. I've also used that liquid de-icer stuff with good success. It takes a lot of it.

No generator or shore power, then the Northern Companion, or a home - made version, is the norm.

gb

denalipilot wrote:

AOPA wrote:Question: What is the best way to remove frost or ice from my airplane?

Answer: If you are not pressed for time, have your flight school or FBO put the airplane in a heated hangar for an hour or so to allow accumulated ice to melt off.

Golly how come I never thought of that?! 'Course, being pressed for time, I'd still probably opt for beating on frozen covers and engine blankets, scraping the entire airframe with a push broom, hauling hot water in pails, jugs, or even air-pressurized fire extinguishers, lighting off the Northern Companion, or maybe firing up a Honda generator to run a propane-fired hot-air blower, and oh yeah- trying to somehow get some heat inside the cockpit so that the windscreen doesn't instantly frost up when I finally climb in, huffing and puffing.

Years ago when I was in Fort Collins ,CO. in dark of winter I put my old 182 behind Biz-jet they were doing ground runs on >>> instant heater - defroster . Preheat for engine was 2 -100watt light bulbs all night long with U-haul blanket over cowl. I do have a pan heater that works somewhat . Oil is thick as molasses in winter cold.

denalipilot wrote:

AOPA wrote:Question: What is the best way to remove frost or ice from my airplane?

Answer: If you are not pressed for time, have your flight school or FBO put the airplane in a heated hangar for an hour or so to allow accumulated ice to melt off.

Golly how come I never thought of that?! 'Course, being pressed for time, I'd still probably opt for beating on frozen covers and engine blankets, scraping the entire airframe with a push broom, hauling hot water in pails, jugs, or even air-pressurized fire extinguishers, lighting off the Northern Companion, or maybe firing up a Honda generator to run a propane-fired hot-air blower, and oh yeah- trying to somehow get some heat inside the cockpit so that the windscreen doesn't instantly frost up when I finally climb in, huffing and puffing.

FBO!!! I'm with you Denali. I had my Husky in Palmer last week and this is what I found. Can you imagine an FBO that would take this dog into its kennel? A broom, rope and Northern Compaion were the only way.

Cheeze AOPA... That was great advice.

I sure hope this doesn't turn into the 5th giant discussion about pre-heaters

mr scout wrote:I sure hope this doesn't turn into the 5th giant discussion about pre-heaters

Which one do you use Mr Scout? I keed

For us lucky folk in CO the sun shows up about 320 days of the year. All that is needed is a little patience (or a FBO with a heated hanger ).

What is Northern Companion?

taildrgfun wrote:What is Northern Companion?

The Northern Companion is a very compact engine pre-heater. Here is a link to what they look like:

http://ultimategear.stores.yahoo.net/airpreh.html

Oh, I thought you were talking about a really hot Eskimo Girl

No self-respecting Alaskan pilot would allow frost to accumulate on the wings

AOPA Pilot drives me crazy some times. Like when they wrote that every pilot in America needs a Cirrus. I wouldn't turn one down for free but it doesn't come with skis does it?

Reminds me of Steve Martin's comedy: Here's how you become a millionaire. First, get a million bucks.................

I'm not going to bite on the heater discussion, but for ice and frost removal I've been using stuff called "Liquid Fire" and a towel. I think the wife got it at Wally World? I'm not sure, just know she don't have it any more Hard to get the wing tops without a ladder though. I've used it on my rag wings and aluminum. It don't seem to effect anything. When I was doing a wing repair, I tried to find something that would eat the paint and glue and couldn't find anything that would touch it so I doubt this will ever dissolve it. If it don't work for you......just drink it, it's alochol based