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Cold toes

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Cold toes

It was 8 degrees today and I could only fly for 1-1/2 hours until I could no longer feel my toes, and I had two pairs of wool socks on.
I guess it is time to work on some door seals and learn to fly with boots on. With a size 14 boot its hard to fit in a Supercub.

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Mongo offline
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Re: Cold toes

don't mean to get too personal. How much do you weigh and how tall are you? The reason I ask, is I have a friend that hardly ever fly's his Cub and I was thinking lately about asking if I can exercise it for him. He will probably say no, but thought I'd ask anyway. I just would have to get my TW rating.

What HP engine do you have in your Cub? My buddy has a 150hp.
58Skylane offline
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Re: Cold toes

Heated socks (the kind BMW adventure riders use).

http://cozywinters.com/shop/wg-hsc.html ... map=WG-HSC
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Re: Re: Cold toes

58Skylane wrote:don't mean to get too personal. How much do you weigh and how tall are you? The reason I ask, is I have a friend that hardly ever fly's his Cub and I was thinking lately about asking if I can exercise it for him. He will probably say no, but thought I'd ask anyway. I just would have to get my TW rating.

What HP engine do you have in your Cub? My buddy has a 150hp.

I am 6'3" and a very sexy 250
Mine is 180hp
they are hard to get into but lots of fun

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Mongo offline
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Re: Re: Cold toes

mountainmatt wrote:Heated socks (the kind BMW adventure riders use).

http://cozywinters.com/shop/wg-hsc.html ... map=WG-HSC


Damn fine idea

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Re: Re: Cold toes

Mongo wrote:
58Skylane wrote:don't mean to get too personal. How much do you weigh and how tall are you? The reason I ask, is I have a friend that hardly ever fly's his Cub and I was thinking lately about asking if I can exercise it for him. He will probably say no, but thought I'd ask anyway. I just would have to get my TW rating.

What HP engine do you have in your Cub? My buddy has a 150hp.

I am 6'3" and a very sexy 250
Mine is 180hp
they are hard to get into but lots of fun

Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk


I'm about the same size.
58Skylane offline
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Re: Cold toes

Gerbies sell 12 volt heated everything
gt
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Re: Cold toes

I've flown Cubs that I had to turn the heat DOWN at minus 30 F. Do some work on the heat distribution system and the heat generating system. If you don't already have one, get in touch with Atlee Dodge in Anchorage and buy one of their heat robbers for back seat heat. Then use it for wherever you need heat.

You're right that sealing up doors, etc is critical, and REALLY helps as well. Make sure your heat control is going FULLY on. Lots of little things can really help.

Do you have an underseat tool box under the back seat? If not, I guarantee there's a LOT of cold air coming FORWARD from under that back seat. Make an air dam that fits under the rear lower cushion, and velcro's to the floor. Blocks that forward moving COLD air.

And, there are other ways to warm em up.

MTV
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Re: Cold toes

Mongo, do you ever go to Urbana (I74)? We should meet for lunch there sometime. I would like to see your cub!
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Re: Cold toes

Mongo wrote:It was 8 degrees today and I could only fly for 1-1/2 hours until I could no longer feel my toes, and I had two pairs of wool socks on.
I guess it is time to work on some door seals and learn to fly with boots on. With a size 14 boot its hard to fit in a Supercub.

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I flew for 4+ hours the other day in 8 to 12 degree temps, and never got cold feet. My heater inlet is right between the rudder pedals, and once in cruise I just shift my feet to the insides of both pedals, putting my feet right in the hot airflow. Once you get used to the smell of hot vibram soles (and realize it is not an engine problem) I can fly comfortably as long as I have fuel. That's assuming I have a decent jacket on and light pair of gloves. I havn't flown any length of winter time with a passenger, but I'm pretty sure they're going to freeze, there is only so much heat to get out of less then 4 gph fuel burn, but at least I have warm feet!

Sounds like the electric socks would be the way to go Mongo, another thing to mess with but they do work great.
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Re: Cold toes

I used these after a looooooong search for winter flying boots in the Arctic. Awesome boots and warm, toasty toes. Always. And I tried 'em all before. Nothing comes close for me.

http://reviews.cabelas.com/8815/830531/ ... me&dir=asc

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Re: Cold toes

Should have stuck with a Citabria :-D :-D
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Re: Cold toes

I would think the Eskimos make something that's warm, soft and easy to move around in???????
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Re: Cold toes

I've worked outside most of my life in summer and winter, I have never found any boots tougher and warmer than US Issue "Micky Mouse Boots". I used to buy a new pair of leather insulated boots every year till I started using them. I poured concrete in them summer and winter and a pair will last me 6 - 8 years. I doubt you could ever wear a pair out just using them for cold weather boots.

The Micky Mouse Boots are rated down to -20. Plus, the are waterproof and you can dry them out with just a rag if you fill them with water. The white "Bunny Boots" are for use below -20 but are heaver. Make sure you get the ones with the valve if your using them for flying because they will fill up like a balloon if you don't. You can find aluminum snowshoes that clip right on and I got a set of ice spikes for mine but I have never seen them since. Check you local Army Surplus stores or Ebay. You don't need big socks so just buy them your size and throw the laces away, you don't need them.

If your sitting all the time your toes will get cold no matter what kind of boots you have. Might want to go with the Gerbings. I have one of their jackets and a pair of gloves and they work great. All their clothing has plugs so you can plug gloves into jackets. Pants into socks, etc.

Here are some 14's:
http://cgi.ebay.com/14R-NEW-WHITE-MICKE ... 2a0d235509
http://cgi.ebay.com/14W-WHITE-AIRBOSS-M ... 2a0cbb5e3c


http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... Categories
Last edited by Jaerl on Sun Jan 09, 2011 9:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cold toes

I agree with the plug for Mickey Mouse boots. They are by far the warmest boots I have ever had, there may be better, but my feet have always been warm. I have been wearing them in the winter for over 20 years, to work in, snowmobile and all day ice fishing, many times in sub 0 temperatures. They are a bit bulky, but seem to work fine even flying the ski plane (a Cub, Mongo). I just bought another black pair from one of the internet sites this fall (to have in reserve) and the price was about $70, plus shipping. They may be overkill for Indiana, but are a great boot that will last a long time. Steve
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Re: Cold toes

New post by patrol guy » Sat Jan 08, 2011 10:29 pm
Mongo, do you ever go to Urbana (I74)? We should meet for lunch there sometime. I would like to see your cub!


John and Mongo;

The Mount Victory Plaza, Elloitts Landing O74, has much better food and coffee than Urbana. Best breakfast buffet around on weekends. I am located half way between Mount Victory and Urbana, 15 minutes either way.

Elliotts has 2900 feet grass and park right at the edge of the parking lot. Gas station at restaurant and can taxi right up to the pump.

Be glad to meet any of you there.

Gene
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Re: Cold toes

I have the black bunny boots. Been usin them for 15+ ys. Think I bought my last pair for $12.00 at a local army surplus. I have been told by my friend in AK, that even if you break through ice and fill the boot with water, you can dump the water out, put the boot back on, and keep going, your feet will be warm. I always stash a pair in the plane in the winter, incase I get stuck somewhere cold. Hate havin cold feet. :)
Last edited by shortfielder on Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cold toes

What do you have for an exhaust / heater?
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Re: Cold toes

here's a thought... I usually fly with my tennies that I wear all the time. granted it's never cold enough in So cal to be concerned about cold feet but I usually ride my Harley to the hangar when I fly in Sundays and I wear heavy boots when I do.. The first time I did and flew I landed and braked normally as I always do and lo and behold the tail came off quite easily which was a big surprise... I caught it quickly enough to avoid a prop strike but now I know to compensate when I fly with motor boots on...or just wear my tennies on the bike... [-o<
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