I've done a bunch of open cockpit, in really cold weather, just dress like your riding a snowmobile.. It ain't bad at all.

I flew my Skybolt back from Kalifornia to Just north of Spokane about 8 years ago on March 30th, got home on April 4th.
Was a trip I will never forget!! Lost the power to my Gerbies from Winnemucca to Boise, thought I might freeze !! Was damn nice to be on the ground
The one thing you want to do is wake up about 30-40 miles from where you are going to land!!!!!!
Do a bunch of ICE O METRIC exercises!?? Get your feet moving, work your butt around in the seat, slap your hands together and just get the blood flowing to all the cold spots. After a couple of hours in the cold and wind, your head and body are a little cold and slow!!
Just get AWAKE and AWARE and then enjoy!!
Your feet and brain have to work when you land!!
GT
Have as much fun as you can stand!!

If you're cold in the airplane, you're not dressed properly to be flying in that weather, and will be cold if an emergency parks you out in the boonies.

Gump

Oh yeah. Don't forget the feet. Thick thick socks, not too tight. The rest of you can be toasty warm but if your feet are cold, it's miserable.

Hell that isn't an open cockpit, that's a cockpit without a roof, big difference! Compared to the winter flying I used to do with a totally open (like no structure at all for shelter from the wind blast) ultralight, you are going to be in fat city. Assuming you don't want to invest in all the trick electric bike clothing just for a ferry flight, just keep your feet warm with heat pacs etc. and wear lots of layers. Piece of cake, quit whining. Ha ha, really it sounds like a fun ride, but NOT with cold feet, keep the feet warm and you have it whipped.Post on the flight for sure!

If all else fails newspaper and kindling. Wrap yourself in the newspaper. If you have to land you have the makings of a nice fire.

Riding the snowmachines at 100+ MPH on the river at -50 dressed only in under armour base layer, fleece pants and shirt and Klimb shells. Heavy wool socks and Cabela's "snowy range" boots. Pretty cheap boots, not too bulky and my feet never get cold riding or flying.

A couple years ago I blew an exhaust gasket and had to fly back from the lodge with the door open on the plane. It was -35 on the 2 hr flight and I never got cold wearing the gear above. If you dress right, you dont have to get all bulked out. The biggest problem people have is trying to wear too much shit and it get compressed and does not allow the clothing to do its insulation job or the air to circulate. All my stuff fits pretty loose and is comfortable to wear all day lond without feeling tight or restricted.

Mickey Mouse Boots!!! Once your feet are froze, your screwed! Once your core temprature starts dropping your judgment starts to go too. A plane isn't a good place to be if your not thinking right. Electric clothes aren't too much when you consider the consiquences.

I flew a Steen Skybolt from IL to TX one December and It was pretty cold. I used my motorcycle lectric vest wired to the battery hot wires for the accessory outlet. Kept it doable.

snow machine helmet might work.....Try one these Atlee Dodge heaters, get the owner to spring for it

http://www.fadodge.com/index.php?option ... &Itemid=53

Thanks for all the great replies!! Some very good tips and experience, I knew it was a good idea to ask!!

I didn't mention I have some good winter gear leftover from spending a couple winters in Prudhoe Bay, AK flying helicopters, but thats a little different than this trip (helicopters were a little drafty but had great heaters!). Still have my insulated coveralls, they work well over regular clothes, and easy to open up and ventilate a little, or remove altogether (at a fuel stop anyways ) if the temps cooperate. A pair of wool socks and my TNF insulated boots should take care of the feet, Neck gaiter and baclava (don't really like those but I'll use it if its cold enough). And of course my insulated leather helmet, that might be supplemented with a big beenie type hat if I can find one. Oh, and I just learned the airplane has no heater!!!

Never knew about electric heated clothing, thats a great idea for the future but looks pretty pricey for a one time trip...wouldn't have time to get it anyways. I really don't think the temps will be that bad, I just won't really know how it feels until I'm already on the way! Better to plan for the worst, and hope for the best.

As far as the flying aspect goes, I've got the Foreflight app on my iPad and will use that for planning, and have my Garmin 396 for the nice pink line. Haven't really used Foreflight yet in the air, seems pretty straightforward, and this will be a good chance to really find out what it can do. Don't plan on any more than 2 hours between stops...airplane only has 19 gals useable and since ive never flown it before, I will be very conservative with the fuel.

Thanks again for all the great advise, and I'll definately try to give a good trip report with pics when I'm done!

I've done a bunch of open cockpit, in really cold weather, just dress like your riding a snowmobile.. It ain't bad at all.

There are several factors at work here.
Mentioned earlier is how long the time is you are sitting exposed to the chill factor.
Also mentioned is how much room there to move around and flex muscles. As we all know using muscles both generates heat and stimulates circulation of the blood.
One other factor is biological diversity. Some people's metabolic rate rises to the occasion (cold) burning calories as needed to help ward off the cold. A lot of this is programed by previous environmental experience (Near naked American Indian standing in the cold 150 years ago says to the thoroughly dressed white man "Indian is 'face' all over") and of course as in most traits, there is large genetic diversity.

In other words-YMMV

I was speaking from experience and in too sweeping/inclusive terms in my earlier post.
Sorry,
lc

Got room for me? Heck, I'll keep ya warm

Sounds like a fun trip. Have fun and don't forget to share some pics.

Some pretty good points here. I especially agree with glove liners under heavier gloves for warmth when you want it and dexterity when you need it. Here's my best advice: layer and wear more than you think you'll need. You're primarily sitting still in some pretty cold temps. Like hunting with a stiff wind. Cover your neck especially as a lot of heat is lost there once you cover your head. I fly doors off down to about 0°C .

Trip cancelled!!

Since some new information has come to light regarding the now questionable reliability of the engine on this airplane, I've decided to pass on this trip.

It always amazes me how small the aviation community really is, and thanks to BCP and one of its members, I was able to make a more informed decision and avoid a potentially crummy trip. Who knows, it might have gone very well, but I'm erring on the side of caution for this one.

Thanks again to all you guys (John) for taking the time to share your info and experience, I guess this thread will remain in perpetuity for those with the same question in the future

Aaron

Bummer, for the next time go to your local motorcycle shop and see if you can borrow somebodies heated clothing.

porterjet wrote:Bummer, for the next time go to your local motorcycle shop and see if you can borrow somebodies heated clothing.

John, you just made me think of something that I'm not sure was mentioned already. But, has anybody mentioned or is there a such thing as a grip warmer for the stick in the planes (stick and rudder planes)? Some of the newer cruiser/touring bikes come with them and I believe most touring snowmobiles have them. Would be great in an open cockpit airplane.

Heated grips are a relatively easy retro-fit:

http://www.motocrossgiant.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=512824&click=989&gclid=CJ7YtcmTs7MCFVBgMgod_GsAXQ

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/9/47/551/25909/ITEM/Moose-Racing-Complete-Winter-Pack.aspx

http://www.amazon.com/Tusk-Grip-Heater-Kit/dp/B0033YTV78/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1351958276&sr=1-3&keywords=heated%2Bgrips

Put it on your stick or in your seat, or both. Not permanent - at least no more than a PTT switch for your radio.

Again, wrapping your hands around something hot or cold is a _very_ effective way to warm or cool your entire body.

'soyAnarchisto

58Skylane wrote:

porterjet wrote:Bummer, for the next time go to your local motorcycle shop and see if you can borrow somebodies heated clothing.

John, you just made me think of something that I'm not sure was mentioned already. But, has anybody mentioned or is there a such thing as a grip warmer for the stick in the planes (stick and rudder planes)? Some of the newer cruiser/touring bikes come with them and I believe most touring snowmobiles have them. Would be great in an open cockpit airplane.

A Gerbing 12V heated vest in $70 - and you can get them at most motorcycle shops all over the country. That's cheap comfort for this kind of work. I sold my last motorcycle (to pay for flying) but I kept my heated vest - simple pigtail with an on/off switch to a cigarette lighter. Wear it under your insulation layers but not right next to your skin for max effect - and it doesn't have to be on long to give you a real shot in the gut of warmth. Better than gold if you like or have to be on a machine in the open air (motorcycle, snowsled, drafty airplane with no heat) in the winter.

http://heatedclothingoutlet.com/12VvestLiner.shtml

'soyAnarchisto

I see that the trip is cancelled but I'd just add that the exposure in a Biplane is the wind pouring down on you off the top wing. There really isn't anywhere to hide. A coverall of some kind is far better than pants and jacket. Turtle fur.

http://www.turtlefur.com/Mens/b/5588960 ... title=Mens