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Preheating Takes Stress Out of Winter Flying

Avoiding cold starts can boost your engine’s longevity.

Slippery ramps and taxiways are among the hazards of winter flying.
Winter flying poses numerous challenges. [Credit: Jonathan Welsh]

A cold snap has gripped the Northeastern U.S. in recent weeks, with flying potentially becoming a less-attractive proposition as a result. Waiting for engines (and cabin heaters) to warm up while watching your hot breath fog the windshield has never been a highlight of general aviation.

Still, who doesn’t love soaring over a snow-covered landscape? Besides, I was determined over the past few days to get one more flight in before my aircraft’s annual inspection.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast who has been a reporter, writer and columnist for 35 years. His career includes stints with the Wall Street Journal, Flying Magazine and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He recently returned to Firecrown to lead Aviation Consumer.