Moisture, Fog, and Frost

[mulro767]

Anybody else having problems with moisture on the inside windows?  When I pull my airplane out to fly on a cold day, I get in and my breathe starts to fog the windows up.  That moisture quickly turns to frost.  My engine pre-heats works very well and my oil temp is already at 150* but I don't feel comfortable taking off with my self induced IMC.  Opening the storm window helps a little but then I sacrifice the heat.  Has anyone ever used RainX anti-fog?  Is it safe to use on plastic?

[aaronk25]

My cabin has a small space heater in it that is on 24/7 with a thermostat. The warm interior helps keep it fog free.

Also in cold climates like here in MN its eaiser on the gyros.

[mulro767]

I've been running a cabin heater at the same time as my engine pre-heat.  But not 24/7.  My cabin and gyros are all warmed up when I get in.  But the windows fog up quickly.  That doesn't happen to you? I'm in MN as well.

[Hector]

Anybody else having problems with moisture on the inside windows? When I pull my airplane out to fly on a cold day, I get in and my breathe starts to fog the windows up. That moisture quickly turns to frost. My engine pre-heats works very well and my oil temp is already at 150* but I don't feel comfortable taking off with my self induced IMC. Opening the storm window helps a little but then I sacrifice the heat. Has anyone ever used RainX anti-fog? Is it safe to use on plastic?

I would not use RainX on acrylic plastic. It will probably work fine, but long-term use can lead to crazing (micro-cracking) of plastic.

[aaronk25]

Nope....mine dosent fog unless I have 4 people in cockpit. I use driwash to clean windows outside and in I wonder if that makes the difference....not sure.

I keep mine about 82 inside so everything is heat soaked and stays warmer longer. I also make sure to get in quick and shut the door as to not let it cool off much.

[aaronk25]

I also use camguard maybe that keeps the windows from fogging too lol

[yvesg]

One trick we use here in cold Canada is to open the small window as soon as you get into the aircraft, keep the door open slightly. Shut the door before the run-up and close the window before the take-off. All this forces replacement of moist air inside by dryer from outside and prevents fogging. Cannot fly with colder temperature than this:

 

Yves

C-FQKM

[1964-M20E]

is there a pilot somewhere under there

[aaronk25]

One ongoing problem in have had also is if the cockpit is 40 degrees and fogs up the touch screen on the 650garmin is worthless, even when wiped off. Take about 10 min of flying to get it to function.

[mulro767]

Ok, I will try not to complain anymore about Minnesota!  I'll give your little trick a try.  My girlfriend (co-pilot) will not be happy about the door though.  Can she borrow your face scarf?

[yvesg]

Mulro767' On the picture it is the co-pilot, my wife. We took that picture on Sunday, during the pre-heat. Temp was about -15 deg C We went for a flight and did what I suggested above without any frost issue in the windshield. As we flew westbound, I recognized a friend on the area freq. who I replied to and this ended-up with a landing of the Mooney on probably one of the longest runway in North America. I'll post a picture tomorrow... Yves C-FQKM

[Hank]

Sunday morning, my windshield fogged up at 25ºF, but strangely enough only on my side. My wife was beside me, with a 3rd pass in the right rear seat, their windows stayed clear. Next time I'll try opening the storm window. Our thoughts at the time was that during engine start and taxi, the sun was hitting their side; at the hold short, mine started to clear up, and by rotation was not a problem. I do love how quickly the cabin heat warms up!

[yvesg]

Here is the picture of where we landed on Sunday. The Ottawa river. Prepared (checked) area was about 3000 feet by 75 feet however I did walk the dogs on the river the day before and told them that would not have any trouble landing almost anywhere on the river.

 

Yves

C-FQKM

 

[mulro767]

That's impressive! Talk about a contaminated runway!!!

[Hank]

Ah, yes, the versatile C-model again! Just don't stay too long or re-starting could be difficult.

 

Is directional control during landing rollout/takeoff roll difficult on the ice? I worry about that landing in an inch of snow on ashpalt.

[yvesg]

Hank,

 

It was the first time I would land there however we often have at my field a situation where you have an inch of snow on top of patches of black ice and some asphalt here and there so I guess we are used to pay special attention to directional stability.

 

For the take-off, the wind was light and variable so this helped. I would have been more worried with a cross-wind. Actually, if a crosswind would develop, we would just need to "realign" the runway since the river at this place is wide enough to accomodate a runway in any direction.... a bit like what is done at location such as area 51 where they could land on dry lake beds in any direction.

 

Regards,

 

Yves

C-FQKM

[dcrogers11]

Wow, that makes me feel like such a warm weather wimp here in Texas. 

[shaneleeshanelee56]

i know some place in USA they can better suggest to you , if you have any kind of problem belong to plane , whenever i face to porblem with to my plane then i can call to them and take advice to him,.

 

Airbus North America Engineering

Phone: +1 251 434 7200
Fax: +1 251 434 7203

 

Wayzata MN Locksmith