Tanis’ cabin heater pads, right, are thermostatically protected. Price is $475.

by Lionel M. Lavenue

If you live north of the Mason-Dixon line, you’re likely familiar with the Tanis engine pre-heater system. I’ve owned a couple of airplanes and wouldn’t have one in a cold climate without the Tanis system. With this system plugged in, the engine stays warm and ready to go all winter.

However, the bone-chilling cabin is another story. Both my wife and my avionics protest a chilly day takeoff; the engine may be toasty but the cabin is miserable. LCD displays take quite some time to reach full brightness in such conditions. …