How to stay cool in the summer?

[GoDemonDeacons]

This is my first summer flying a M20C. I feel like the vents in the ceiling provide minimal air and the cabin vent is ok but it’s still pretty hot in there. Any recommendations that won’t break the bank?  

[Danb]

You won’t 

[Ragsf15e]

30 minutes ago, GoDemonDeacons said:

This is my first summer flying a M20C. I feel like the vents in the ceiling provide minimal air and the cabin vent is ok but it’s still pretty hot in there. Any recommendations that won’t break the bank?  

try this thread.  Discussed pretty thoroughly.

 

[N201MKTurbo]

Climb and maintain 70 degrees!

[Ragsf15e]

1 minute ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Climb and maintain 70 degrees!

Definitely. And don’t try to depart from the ramp (sun) after ~10am.  Or really anything close to sunrise down where you live!

[GoDemonDeacons]

13 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

try this thread.  Discussed pretty thoroughly.

 

Thanks!

[BrianWilkins]

I put a Milwaukee M18 battery powered fan either on the right side floorboard or backseat and it blows a ton of air which helps, especially during taxi. 

[Pinecone]

The ice chest coolers like the B-Kool work well to keep your a bit cooler for start/taxi/taxi off.

I find that having the pax hold the door open a few inches and a scoop in the pilot side vent window keep things cool enough once the engine is running.

There are a couple of actual portable AC units that can work.  Zero Breeze and Ecoflow Wave are two that people seem to use.

The big thing with any of them, you need to set them up to blow the cool air on the people.  No add on unit will cool the airplane like a car AC.

[Hank]

42 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

Definitely. And don’t try to depart from the ramp (sun) after ~10am.  Or really anything close to sunrise down where you live!

I like to fly earlier in the summer, in the winter it won't matter. Fly high, it's great above the haze layer. One short summer flight, I went to 6500 for five whole minutes just to cool off some, then it was time to head back down into the heat. Some cool is better than none!

When I travel (parents and in-laws are in NC), I prefer to be at least 7500msl; if IFR allows it, I'll go 9000 or 10,000 in the summer--it really makes the humidity on descent very obvious. Sometimes I have to crack the heat for my wife while up there, but I prefer to soak up the cool for an hour or two myself, because I know it won't last.

When you travel, put the canopy cover on! I've gotten good at undoing the rear strap for preflight and loading, then quickly remove the cover and wad it up in the back so I can crank the engine ASAP and get some airflow through the storm window and door.

Enjoy your C, you'll find it's very versatile and loves to fly high in the cool air.

[N201MKTurbo]

2 hours ago, Ragsf15e said:

Definitely. And don’t try to depart from the ramp (sun) after ~10am.  Or really anything close to sunrise down where you live!

The heat doesn’t bother me, but the bumps start at 11:00 and start tapering off at 4:00 and are mostly gone by 6:00. The tops of the bumps are about 11000.

 

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

I like to fly earlier in the summer, in the winter it won't matter. Fly high, it's great above the haze layer. One short summer flight, I went to 6500 for five whole minutes just to cool off some, then it was time to head back down into the heat. Some cool is better than none!

When I travel (parents and in-laws are in NC), I prefer to be at least 7500msl; if IFR allows it, I'll go 9000 or 10,000 in the summer--it really makes the humidity on descent very obvious. Sometimes I have to crack the heat for my wife while up there, but I prefer to soak up the cool for an hour or two myself, because I know it won't last.

When you travel, put the canopy cover on! I've gotten good at undoing the rear strap for preflight and loading, then quickly remove the cover and wad it up in the back so I can crank the engine ASAP and get some airflow through the storm window and door.

Enjoy your C, you'll find it's very versatile and loves to fly high in the cool air.

I’m heading your way on Saturday. Going to Savanna. The dry heat isn’t enough for me I need some humidity and mosquitoes. I will try to use the turbo.

[Hank]

17 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I’m heading your way on Saturday. Going to Savanna. The dry heat isn’t enough for me I need some humidity and mosquitoes. I will try to use the turbo.

Just watch out for the afternoon thunderstorms. Saturday looks good for me, not sure about further east.

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

Just watch out for the afternoon thunderstorms. Saturday looks good for me, not sure about further east.

I’m in no hurry. If I get stuck, I get to explore a new place.

[Hank]

2 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I’m in no hurry. If I get stuck, I get to explore a new place.

Yell if you stop hereabouts. KALX ain't got a crew car, but I can pick you up.

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

Yell if you stop hereabouts. KALX ain't got a crew car, but I can pick you up.

will do, thanks for the offer.

[Pinecone]

On 7/1/2025 at 6:35 PM, N201MKTurbo said:

I’m heading your way on Saturday. Going to Savanna. The dry heat isn’t enough for me I need some humidity and mosquitoes. I will try to use the turbo.

Have you been to Savanna?  We had a great trip in March.  I wrote an article for Mooney Flyer about it.  Some AWESOME restaurants.  Flew into KLHW.  Nice people, and IIRC, no fees if you buy some fuel.

[N201MKTurbo]

16 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

Have you been to Savanna?  We had a great trip in March.  I wrote an article for Mooney Flyer about it.  Some AWESOME restaurants.  Flew into KLHW.  Nice people, and IIRC, no fees if you buy some fuel.

Thanks for the info! I was going to go into SAV because of the rental cars. I will see what I can get at LHW. And I will read your article. I have never been there. The wife wanted to go.

March would be more pleasant....

[Hank]

Be sure to visit the historic Riverfront area. Its nice. Lots of small shady squares and good food around.

[N201MKTurbo]

4 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Have you been to Savanna?  We had a great trip in March.  I wrote an article for Mooney Flyer about it.  Some AWESOME restaurants.  Flew into KLHW.  Nice people, and IIRC, no fees if you buy some fuel.

I tried to get a car near KLHW, but no dice. It looks like I’m still going to KSAV. And @Hank, our hotel is two blocks from the river.

[Pinecone]

Did you call the Enterprise FBO line?  I called them, car was waiting at the airport when I arrived.

Line guy brought it out to the plane.

[Pinecone]

Oh, and quick tip, for dinner 17hundred90 was amazing.  Both the place and the food.