How does the climate in the Southeast US affect the older birds?

[skibum3d]

Hi,

 

I'm seriously considering relocating from the Mountain West to South Eastern Florida. I have a 1965 M20C and I've done essentially all of my 300+ hours in the region.  I'm wondering how the climate will treat my bird -- I'm used to having a home base at a dry, high elevation (4,217') airport, and the aircraft has spent most of it's life in this sort of environment.  I don't need to worry about the weather much, except icing, and even that's only a concern for a few days in Dec-Feb. I have a few specific questions:

• How will the weather affect the paint, metal, and other parts of the aircraft structure?  Will corrosion be much more rapid / pronounced?
• Will I need to touch up the paint in any blemishes to avoid rust?
• If I have an engine that likes to run a bit hot when leaned just barely rich of peak for the local density altitude (which can be as high as 8,000), will I have fewer or more problems at sea level?
• Does the moisture in the air cause the pitot-static system any specific pain?

Also, any other general feedback you've got about the move and how it might affect my flying and my aircraft will be appreciated.  I must say, I am excited about being able to fly below 10,500 (my usual altitude for flying through mountainous terrain in the area) when traveling more than 50 miles.  I'm also excited to see my low level climb performance.  At about 5,000', I usually see about 900-1,200 FPM depending on load and outside temperature.  I assume it'll be better down low!

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

[rbridges]

there are several guys on here from florida, so I'm sure they've got first hand experience.  I know that corrosion is an issue for Florida planes, but I don't know the extent.  I've read various articles, and some say it can be a major problem, even for hangared birds.

 

don't know if it's an exaggeration, but I've had several people tell me to avoid planes that have lived in FL for extended periods.  I take it with a grain of salt, but I know there must be some truth to it.

 

If you move there, corrosion x would be a suggestion.  also, washing the plane often would probably be a good idea.

[flyboy0681]

When I bought into my partnership in 2010 I had an inspection done which resulted in interior panels being removed and there was no corrosion found at all. The same goes for the tail section as viewed through the access panel in the back. Corrosion X had been applied in the past at regular intervals so that may be the reason.

[N33GG]

If I lived in Florida, I would have the plane fogged every year at annual to prevent corrosion getting started in the airframe and wings.

I used to fly an Arrow IV in Florida. It flew so much in heavy rain that all of the leading edges had the paint worn off. Also, when it was tied down on a ramp, I would really give the fuel and pitot/static drains a good workout.

Other than that, I would focus on enjoying the Floridian lifestyle!

[DrBill]

Most of the owners of aircraft (all makes) I know in Florida use a hangar and consistantly have Corrosion X applied every 2 years. The 76 Beach Sundowner I owned spent its early life as a trainer in Aruba (5 years), then to Eastern NC and SE VA Until 90 when it moved to Greenville SC (hangared) and in 03 came to Charlotte(Hangared) . It's now in GA somewhere. I had some corrosion issues but were fixed properly even though I used Corrosion X every 2 years. They typical bill for Corrosion X was c $250. The hard part was it took most of 6 hours to do it. So it's 6 hrs to kill after you drop the plane off. One trip I did go on the tour of the BMW factory in Greenville SC since one of the local X applicators is in Greenville. Another I took a tour of downtown.

BILL

[Hector]

I own a 67C in Northeast Florida. Like everything else, the condition of your airplane is highly dependent on the owner. I keep my bird in a hangar, fog it with corrosion-X during annual just as the previous owner did, and I don't have any corrosion problems. Maintain your bird properly and you will be fine enjoying all the cool places we get to fly to around here. Florida is flat and essentially not much more than sea-level everywhere so you can cruise below 10K all the time. You will enjoy sea -level performance, but keep in mind that during the summer months it gets pretty darn hot here so keep that in mind both with respect to performance and CHT management. In my C, I climb at 120 with cowl flaps fully open and CHT's stay around 380. If I try Vy they will shoot to 410-420 or so. Better in the winter but it is now ingrained in me to climb at 120 so its what I do all the time.

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[skibum3d]

Thank you for all of your replies, they help put things in perspective. I'll have to be honest, and I'm sure some of you will find this amusing, I'd never heard of fogging before -- I had to look it up.  I'd also never heard of Corrosion X.  Consider me (slightly) informed.

 

It looks like I'm a go for the move in the near term, so the next task will be finding a good hanger in the MIA / FLL area.  Thanks again!

[fantom]

It looks like I'm a go for the move in the near term, so the next task will be finding a good hanger in the MIA / FLL area.  Thanks again!

 

The good news is they're available, depending on the airport; the bad news is they run about $600/month.

[skibum3d]

The good news is they're available, depending on the airport; the bad news is they run about $600/month.

 

WOW!  I thought I was paying a lot for a T-Hangar at KSLC at $218 / month.

[TWinter]

Those numbers make me appreciate my $150 a month enclosed community hanger,

[rbridges]

The good news is they're available, depending on the airport; the bad news is they run about $600/month.

 

I knew this was coming as soon as he mentioned hangars.  My mouth is still hanging open from the first time I heard you say it.  

[Alan Fox]

You can take the airplane out of Florida , but you cant take Florida out of the airplane.....

[DrBill]

I'm lucky, our airport permits "portable" hangars like the one pictured in my Avatar. My partner in first plane put it up. We paid $5K for the hangar new and $3K for the concrete. That was in 03. We pay $65/mo for the spot (was $45 in 03). Hangars now are $150/mo (was $120). When we sold the plane, I bought him out for $4K for the hangar and golf cart. We broke even in 3 years so now it's all gravy. I do get to sell it when I'm done with it. If I can.

BILL

[Hector]

I was going to mention the hangar rates in south east Florida but forgot. Glad Fantom mentioned it. In northeast Florida I pay $250 and many other places in Florida are fairly reasonable ( relatively speaking of course), but not the Miami area. I would assume there is a specific reason you want to relocate there, because there are lots of others places in the state I would choose over Miami. Don't get me wrong, I grew up in a Miami and love the culture, but quite frankly I guess I'm getting old and now prefer a slightly slower pace, less traffic congestion, fewer insane drivers, etc. I now fly there every couple of months (KTMB) to go check on my parents and see old friends. Much better this way.

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[pinerunner]

Humidity is less than ideal but if you throw in a bit of salt spray that's even worse.  Any water between dissimilar metals set you up for corrosion but adding an electrolyte to it is much worse. My father used to rebuild Cessna 180's to sell as seaplanes. He wouldn't touch one that had been used to go out to oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Since our Mooneys have a steel cage AND alluminum we have to be extra careful or we get a nasty surprise.

 

My plane is in an unheated hanger in Maine. Its near a river and dew is likely every morning. I do have electric outlets though and I'm rigging it up to gently heat it once a day just enough to keep the dew at bay.

[ArtVandelay]

I was going to mention the hangar rates in south east Florida but forgot. Glad Fantom mentioned it. In northeast Florida I pay $250 and many other places in Florida are fairly reasonable ( relatively speaking of course),

 

Where do you pay $250?  I've heard of places $400 but not $250...a lot of places (space coast area) have 5 year waiting lists. IF I buy a plane I might have to move to enjoy the $5000/year savings in hanger fees alone.

[Hector]

I'm based out of KCRG (Jacksonville). They are older T- hangars but they have electricity and keeps the airplane indoors where I can do most of my own maintenance. I really don't know the going rate at other large cities in Florida but I think if you move out of the large population centers the prices get more reasonable.

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[N601RX]

Post like this makes me thankful for our $65 enclosed hangers. They may not look as nice as some, but they are lockable and keep the plane dry. They have water and electricity also.

[tony]

I can't even get a tie down for $65, I'm jealous.

[N601RX]

Tie downs are free down here.