Gear Doors in Winter

[L. Trotter]

Here is a winter question for those in the north....Do any of you remove the inner gear doors during the winter months to prevent snow/ice build up? The POH suggests this as to prevent binding and damage to the gear doors. I have never done this and have no idea if even a little accumulation is occurring running on plowed runways.

[Ned Gravel]

Don't have inner gear doors, but we do have winter.

II think I am going to have to stay in a holiday inn tomorrow on my way to Myanmar. 

[Ned Gravel]

Don't have inner gear doors, but we do have winter.

II think I am going to have to stay in a holiday inn tomorrow on my way to Myanmar. 

[carusoam]

I shovel out before going...

Another important thing to remember after significant snow fall.  Some taxiways will be missing.  A U-turn on the active runway to go back for the one open turn-off may be required.  Snow banks near the edge of the runway may make it difficult to make the U-turn.  

Oddly enough... There is a difference in turning radius between turning left 180° and turning right 180°.  It helps to be aware of this before starting the turn.

Sound familiar?

Best regards,

-a-

[Hank]

 

 

Another important thing to remember after significant snow fall.  Some taxiways will be missing.  A U-turn to go back for the one open turn-off may be required.  Snow banks near the edge of the runway may make it difficult to make the U-turn.  

Oddly enough... There is a difference in turning radius between turning left 180° and turning right 180°.  It helps to be aware of this before starting the turn.

-a-

Flying around Ohio, WV and eastern KY, I never had a problem with snow banks along the runway or taxiways. Some narrow taxiways with tall lights scared me during the day, passing under both wingtips . . .

Having to back taxi for every takeoff and every landing, it took very little time to notice and remember that my plane turns tighter to the right than to the left. The Cessna that I trained I seemed pretty much the same both ways. Most places it's not a problem, but the turnaround area when I visit Mom and Dad is rather small, bulging out to one side of the patched 2770 x 30 runway.

i gave away my home snow shovel to my moving crew in 2014, and left the other one in the hangar for the next guy.  

[carusoam]

Thanks Hank for the detail.

 I remember doing this at the MSC in NJ in 2010, I couldn't remember if it was a left or right turn.

makes more sense now...

1) get close to the left side of the runway, which is slightly easier to see the snow drifts from, then

2) turn to the right.

3) full right rudder pedal and brake as needed.

one of the few days the high wing comes to mind.  That and sightseeing...

Ned, send pictures from Myranmar...

Best regards,

-a-