Think of your airplane the same way you think of one of your other most prized possessions. Whether it’s a classic car, boat, a piece of antique furniture, or rare comic books or sports cards, they all have one thing in common: If you want to preserve their value and maximize their return on investment, you have to take care of them. When it comes to your aircraft, one of the easiest ways to keep it looking great is to regularly wash it so it can look as nice as it flies. Think of this post as a complete airplane wash guide, as cleaning and washing it is something that you can do yourself if you know what to do. Here’s a closer look at reasons to wash your aircraft, how to clean your aircraft, and more. We should note that you can also have your aircraft serviced by J.A. Air Center or anyone else who performs aircraft detailing services. So why should you be regularly cleaning your aircraft? Outside of taking pride in ownership of it and wanting to ensure it looks great, there are several other reasons why it’s important to keep your aircraft clean. Here are a few key reasons to wash your airplane per the recommended once-every-three to six months schedule: Like any type of craft or vehicle, the more you fly an airplane, the dirtier it’s going to get. Over time, things like dirt, debris, oil, bug guts, salt, and more will accumulate on the exterior of your aircraft. You might not think that dirt and debris buildup could affect the aerodynamics of your plane, but you might be surprised. The more dirt and debris that builds up, the less aerodynamic it will be. Buildup can also have an impact on the weight of your aircraft. Regular aircraft cleaning is also ideal for maintaining exterior parts and preventing corrosion. Corrosion isn’t something that can be reversed, but its progress can be slowed if you know it’s happening. Additionally, spotting corrosion early can help pilots implement inexpensive fixes before the issue becomes worse and costs more to repair. Most general aviation aircraft do not come with windshield wipers. Nor do they have wiper fluid that can be blasted on the windshield when vision becomes obstructed. It’s part of the reason why routine cleanings are so important – to ensure visibility is the best that it can be for the pilot who is flying the plane. Dirty or smudged windshields can reduce visibility and potentially lead to safety issues. Just because it’s worth mentioning again, you can’t underestimate what routine cleanings will do for the appearance of your aircraft. As we talked about in the introduction, it’s important to take care of the possessions that you value most – and chances are your airplane is right up there at the top of the list. Putting in the time and effort to make sure it looks great at all times can go a long way toward its overall appearance. While you can’t go wrong washing the entire aircraft, some areas are more important to pay attention to than others. Here’s a look at some areas of the aircraft you don’t want to skip when you’re cleaning it: The Pitot Static system The wings (both above and below) The underbelly of the aircraft (in addition to dirt and debris buildup, many aircraft expel exhaust in this area, which may further soil it) The tail Now that we’ve discussed the importance of washing your plane and the parts to pay special attention to, let’s cover how to clean your plane. First, a look at some no-nos. Never use a power or pressure washer to clean your plane. Also, avoid any abrasive pads or stiff-bristled brushes. We also suggest staying away from any buffer or polishing machines and products that contain dish soap, bleach, or ammonia. All you’ll need to give your aircraft a good, thorough wash is a hose, bucket, alkaline-free soap, a glass cleaner, and a de-greaser. If you have any doubts about what types of cleaning products are appropriate, contact the manufacturer or speak with an expert for advice. We also suggest a microfiber cloth and some basic PPE, like gloves and safety glasses, to stay protected. There are three types of aircraft cleaning: wet wash, dry wash, and polishing. In this space, we’ll take a closer look at the wet wash step-by-step cleaning directions: First, mix soap with water in the cleaning bucket and then pour this mix into a spray bottle. Use the spray bottle with the soap mixture and spray small areas around the aircraft. Take the Microfiber cloth and soak it in the bucket with the soap/water mix. Use back-and-forth strokes around the aircraft to remove dirt and debris. Rinse the cloth periodically so it’s free of dirt and debris and continue cleaning around the aircraft until complete. If you really want your aircraft to shine, you can add a coat of wax to the body following its cleaning. It’s a lot of work and most coats of wax start to wear off after only a few months.Reasons to Clean Your Aircraft
Reduce Drag
Prevent Corrosion
Enhance Visibility
Overall Appearance
Areas to Wash On Your Aircraft
How to Clean Your Aircraft
Looking to Get Your Aircraft Detailed by J.A. Air?
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of a clean aircraft, it’s time to get to work. Remember, cleaning your aircraft is something that you can do yourself if you don’t mind putting in the time and effort. It’s also something that others, like us at J.A. Air, can handle for you. As experienced and professional aircraft detailers, we can keep your aircraft looking great, both inside and out. Contact us today for more information on our detailing services and to get started on your next cleaning.
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Preparation Checklist for Long-Term Aircraft Storage
When winter weather comes knocking, it’s common for pilots to put their airplanes into storage and avoid flying during the cold, snowy season when conditions become more challenging.
However, properly storing an aircraft can be more challenging than you may initially think. In other words, pilots have options. In this post, we’ll discuss key considerations for long-term aircraft storage and why a hangar is often the best storage option for pilots. Read on to learn more:
When to Leave Your Aircraft in Long-Term Storage
Like we said in the beginning, one of the most popular times for pilots to store their aircraft is during the winter months when flying becomes more challenging in cold weather conditions. Simply put, you should consider storing your aircraft if it’s not going to be used for any extended period.
Choosing the Right Storage Environment
The right storage environment is crucial to protecting the plane and helps ensure that there’s less work to do to get it operational again when you’re ready to take it back to the skies. The ideal storage environment is temperature-controlled. Think of a consistent 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit with 60-65 percent humidity. It should also be clean and free of excessive dust and debris. Ideally, the aircraft is even supported on jacks to take the load off of any tires or other mechanical equipment. It’s why many pilots opt to rent a hangar to store their aircraft.
Benefits of Renting a Hangar
There are a variety of benefits to renting a hangar for aircraft storage. In addition to meeting the cleanliness and temperature control factors that we discussed in the previous section, hangars also offer a variety of other benefits for the storage of aircraft. These include:
- Protection from outside weather: Aside from extreme cold and heat, hangars also protect aircraft from the sun’s UV rays and inclement weather like sleet and hail that could damage its exterior and impact its performance. You don’t want to have to file an insurance claim for storing the aircraft.
- Safety and security: Hangars tend to offer advanced security measures such as access control, CCTV surveillance, on-site 24/7 security, and alarm systems to help keep your aircraft safe while it’s parked.
- Capacity flexibility: Hangars are not one-size-fits-all. Pilots can rent a hangar based on the size of their aircraft. Hangars tend to be available in sizes ranging from small (20 x 40 feet) to medium to large hangars that extend well beyond 40 x 80 feet in size.
Long-Term Aircraft Storage Checklist
If you’re planning to store your aircraft for an extended period, there’s a lot more work involved than simply parking it in a hangar or other location. To properly care for the aircraft while it’s parked and ensure it’s in good condition when you’re ready to fly it again, there’s a checklist that you should be following before you go to store it. It all starts with a thorough assessment.
Assessing the Condition of Your Aircraft
When an aircraft is stored, it should essentially be in a “ready to fly” condition following inspection. If it’s not, measures should be taken to ensure that it does reach this status. Much of this can be carried out by thoroughly preparing the aircraft for storage.
Storage Preparation
In addition to removing the batteries and taking care of some other routine preparation, you’ll want to specifically address the following before putting your aircraft in storage:
- Change Oil: Don’t wait until you remove the aircraft from storage to change the oil. Changing it before it goes into the hangar will ensure that any grime and other contaminants are removed from the aircraft. These contaminants may lead to rusting, corrosion, and other issues.
- Prepare Spark Plugs: Spray any spark plug holes with a preservative oil mix to ensure that they aren’t damaged during the winter. Doing this will help preserve them so that they remain in good working order when it’s time to fly again. Spark plugs may seem like a minor component, but they’re an important one.
- Cover Exterior: Even if you’re storing a plane in a covered hangar, you should still work to cover parts of the aircraft that you can. Parts like the prop blades, tail, windows, and more should be covered to further minimize the risk of any damage to such surfaces.
- Keep Fuel Tank Full: If you keep the aircraft’s fuel tank full, you’ll help reduce the risk of condensation that builds in the fuel tank and can wreak havoc on an aircraft’s engine and overall operation. Consult with the manufacturer to determine an adequate amount of fuel to keep in the tank.
Maintenance During Storage
You shouldn’t just store and then forget about your aircraft until it’s time to use it again. To best care for your aircraft, you should regularly maintain it throughout the time it’s stored as well. Some maintenance to consider include:
- Routine checks on landing gear
- Maneuvering it a third of a turn so the tires turn. This prevents flat spots and uneven bearings.
- Monitoring shock and strut pressure
- Keeping tires properly inflated
Why Choose an FBO for Long-Term Storage
FBOs are often the best option for long-term storage due to the variety of benefits they offer pilots and aircraft owners. For starters, you’re renting an FBO, so you’re not paying out the cost of buying and maintaining a hangar. Another big benefit is that FBOs have on-site staff to ensure the hangar is secure and to help service the aircraft for the time it’s parked. Restrooms, lounges, dining areas, and other amenities are also value-added benefits of an FBO.
Finally, many FBOs offer fuel discounts or credits to help pilots save money when they’re ready to fly again.
Contact J.A. Air Center Today
For more information on long-term storage options for your aircraft and to learn more about why an FBO is often the best choice for such storage, contact J.A. Air Center today.
Airplane Depreciation: What You Should Know
In technical terms, depreciation is the reduction in the value of an asset over time.
Whether it’s a car, boat, plane, or some other type of investment, it’s going to begin depreciating – or losing value – the minute you begin to use it. Some investments known for depreciating quickly include the likes of vehicles, computers, and new homes. And while airplanes depreciate, there are a few interesting caveats on how – and how quickly – planes lose value compared to other investments. There are also some interesting implications as it relates to income statements, taxes, resale value, and more.
In this post, we’ll cover the basics of airplane depreciation, key terms to know, bonus depreciation, and more.
Aircraft Depreciation Basics
Depreciation essentially allows aircraft owners to see how the value of their investment is expected to change over time. Depreciation factors in the likes of wear and tear, obsolescence, age, and more.
Depreciation also can have some tax implications for firms that use an aircraft for business use, and it can be used to help determine a fair sale price for an aircraft when it’s time to sell. We’ll get into all of this – and more – throughout this post.
What is Aircraft Depreciation?
Various factors – from the type of aircraft to how it’s used to overall age and condition – impact depreciation rates.
We’ll get into more about how depreciation works in the next section. First, let’s discuss why aircraft depreciation is used. There are several reasons why depreciation should be calculated. For instance:
- It may be tax-deductible: Businesses and aircraft owners may be able to deduct a portion or the full amount of the annual depreciation on their taxes.
- It’s required to comply with accounting rules and regulations (more on this later in this post).
- It can help a firm match expenses against revenue.
- It can help offer a more accurate financial representation for a company. This reason can be especially helpful for investors and shareholders to gauge if the company is publicly traded.
How Does it Work?
Depreciation can be calculated in several ways. However, the most common way to calculate this is via straight-line depreciation. Straight-line depreciation works by dividing the total cost of the asset – in this case, an airplane – by how long it’s expected to be used. For example, if an aircraft was purchased for $120,000 and is expected to last for 10 years, the annual depreciation would be $12,000. This is the number that is then recorded on the company’s income statement.
Key Terms to Know
Like anything that involves financial and accounting jargon, there are various key terms that you’ll want to familiarize yourself with when it comes to airplane depreciation. Here’s a look at a few of these key terms and their definitions:
- Fixed asset: This is a tangible entity used for business. For example, an aircraft would be a fixed asset in the context of depreciation.
- Cost: This is the initial cost to purchase the aircraft or fixed asset.
- Qualified business use: If the aircraft is used for business purposes, it would be considered a qualified business use asset.
- Recovery period: This is essentially the useful life of the aircraft.
- Salvage value: This is the anticipated resale value of an aircraft when it’s at the end of its useful life. Salvage value is also commonly known as “disposal value” or “residual value.”
Two other terms to know as they apply to aircraft depreciation are Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). We’ll get into these terms later on in this piece.
Aircraft Bonus Depreciation
Instituted with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, changes were made to depreciation rules regarding aircraft that are used for business purposes and how much businesses can claim. Before the act’s passage, businesses were only permitted to deduct 50 percent of annual aircraft depreciation. With the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, they’re able to deduct 100 percent of the depreciation in the first year of ownership, with eligible deductions decreasing each subsequent year of ownership. This increase in eligible deductions became known as “bonus depreciation.”
However, it’s important to note that beginning in 2023, the percentage of annual bonus appreciation applicable was phased down. Check with your accountant to better understand how bonus depreciation may work in your situation and how much you’re able to deduct from your income taxes now and into the future.
Accounting Considerations
We strongly suggest working with a professional accountant when it comes to determining your aircraft’s depreciation and bonus depreciation values.
MACRS
The primary tax accounting system used to calculate aircraft depreciation is MACRS or Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System. A fixed asset method for calculating depreciation for income tax, it’s a method that allows for a greater runway for depreciation over time.
GAAP
Accountants must also follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or GAAP. Keep in mind that MACRS is for tax purposes – not financial statements. Therefore, it’s not an example of GAAP.
Selling a Depreciated Aircraft
You might be wondering what happens when you sell a depreciated aircraft. What happens to the profit made off the sale relative to taxable income? Simple: Any profit from the sale following depreciation deduction is considered taxable income.
Contact your accountant to learn more about how this could impact any pending aircraft sale.
Contact J.A. Air Center Today
Aircraft are complicated enough to own when you consider the significance of the investment and the amount of maintenance that’s required to keep the plane running efficiently and effectively. And then when you throw in depreciation and how it impacts your firm’s financial situation and income taxes, ownership can become even more complicated. For more information on how depreciation is calculated and how it’s involved when it comes to selling aircraft, contact J.A. Air Center today.
Guide to Aviation Preventive Maintenance
Want to maximize the life and your return on investment of a vehicle, HVAC system, or home kitchen appliance? Then you’re going to need to perform regular preventative maintenance.
Preventative maintenance is exactly what it sounds like. It’s defined as regularly performing manufacturer-recommended maintenance to avoid any unexpected issues. Any major appliance or mechanical system requires preventative maintenance – and aircraft are no exception.
In this post, we’ll discuss preventative maintenance aviation and why it’s important, common maintenance checklists, best practices for preventative maintenance, and more. Read on to learn more about preventative aircraft maintenance.
What is Preventative Aircraft Maintenance?
As we covered in the opening, preventative maintenance is the act of regularly performing manufacturer-recommended maintenance to avoid or minimize issues. To be more specific, aircraft preventative maintenance involves preservation or part replacement that doesn’t involve the most complex assemblies of the vessel. Think of it as maintenance to the aircraft without taking a lot of things apart.
Preventative aircraft maintenance typically takes place at regularly scheduled intervals. It often consists of running some basic tests, checking and monitoring for wear and tear, lubricating and cleaning various parts and components, and replacing small parts as necessary. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established a clear set of preventative maintenance tasks, which we’ll get to later on in this piece. They apply to all aircraft, whether you rent or buy.
Benefits of Preventative Repairs
There are various benefits associated with preventative repairs, but the most important is safety. When you’re working on something designed to fly tens of thousands of feet above sea level, safety is paramount. Catching aircraft issues when they’re minor and before they become large, significant problems can help ensure safe flying.
Other benefits of preventative maintenance are cost savings and minimizing unplanned downtime. Again, discovering and fixing a small problem before it has the chance to become a significant one is going to be far less expensive than the alternative. Some estimate that preventative maintenance is up to 20 percent less expensive than reactive maintenance, or repairs that occur after a problem becomes known.
Additionally, preventative maintenance is designed to help ensure an aircraft runs efficiently and effectively, thereby reducing the risk of any unexpected or untimely repair.
Preventative Maintenance vs. Reactive Repairs
Think of preventative maintenance as being proactive. That is, ideally, you’re performing maintenance to avoid any issues or before failure can occur. Reactive maintenance, conversely, is maintenance that takes place after there’s a known problem or failure. Preventative maintenance tends to avoid unplanned downtime and offers financial benefits compared to reactive maintenance.
Preventative Aircraft Maintenance Checklist
As we said earlier in this piece, the FAA has established a clear set of preventative maintenance tasks that should be carried out at certain intervals. For instance, there are 100-hour inspections, which apply to small aircraft. Fitting to the name, qualifying aircraft must be inspected at least once every 100 hours of flight time. There are also progressive inspections and annual inspections, the latter of which must be done by a professional aircraft mechanic. In addition to all of this, preflight checks are also a requirement. Keep in mind that any aircraft – regardless of the size – that does not comply with FAA standards or regulations is prohibited from flying.
Here’s an overview of the preventative maintenance checklist for aircraft:
Wings
If they’re not the most important component of the airframe, the wings are certainly among the most crucial, so ensuring good condition is imperative. Wings should be checked for cracks, dents, or other damage. If the aircraft’s fuel tanks are located in the wings, they should be inspected for any leaks or damage. The position lights should also be inspected to ensure proper operation.
Fuselage
The fuselage, or main body of the aircraft, is important for anyone riding inside the plane. Be sure to inspect seat belts, the HVAC system, top off hydraulic reservoirs, and inspect doors and windows.
Engines
Aircraft engines that aren’t operating efficiently or effectively will impact performance. Cowlings and fairings should be regularly cleaned, fuel lines should be checked, and spark plugs should be removed, cleaned, and – if necessary – replaced.
Landing Gear
Landing gear encompasses many different components, such as tires, struts, shock absorbers, wheel bearings, and lights. All should be regularly inspected and serviced as necessary.
Empennage
Finally, there’s the empennage, or aircraft tail. Ideal for steering and providing stability, empennage maintenance involves checking the rudder, elevator, and stabilizers.
Best Practices for Implementing Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance isn’t as simple as just performing it and moving on. In addition to adhering to FAA regulations on how often it needs to occur, activity also needs to be meticulously documented. Learn more about best practices for implementing preventive maintenance in this section:
Regular Inspection and Scheduled Maintenance
The best way to implement preventative maintenance is simply to stick to the FAA’s required maintenance and inspection schedule of preflight checks, 100-hour inspections (if the aircraft is applicable), annual inspections, and progressive inspections. Additionally, the aircraft manufacturer – similar to a vehicle manufacturer – is likely to recommend certain scheduled maintenance at various flight intervals to help keep the plane running smoothly.
Comprehensive Documentation and Record-Keeping
All maintenance needs to be meticulously logged to ensure an aircraft is meeting FAA regulations and also ensure there’s documentation of the work that has occurred. Maintenance needs to be logged with:
- The type of work performed
- The date the work occurred.
- The credentials of the individual who performed the work.
Learn More About Preventative Maintenance Services at J.A. Air Center
For more information on preventive maintenance aviation services and how J.A. Air Center can help, contact us today. We’re standing by and ready to ensure your plane is operating effectively, efficiently, and safely, and you’re doing what’s necessary as an aircraft owner or pilot. Contact us today for more information and for assistance with your aircraft’s preventative maintenance.
How to Buy a Business Jet
If you’re in a position to buy an aircraft, you already know it’s likely to be one of the more significant purchases that you’re going to make in your lifetime. In fact, private business jets range in price anywhere from $3 million to even hundreds of millions of dollars – and that doesn’t even include the annual costs to maintain it. It goes without saying that you want to ensure you buy a jet that’s going to do more than just meet your expectations.
So what are the right steps you should be following when purchasing a business jet? If you’re asking this question, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about how to buy a jet, from initial research and planning to what to know throughout the acquisition process and post-purchase logistics. Here’s a closer look:
Research and Planning
The first step with any major purchase is researching and planning it. We’ll get into budgeting and financing in the next section, but certainly shopping for any jet should start with a thorough assessment of what you need and what you intend to use the jet for. Ask yourself questions to narrow your search such as:
- How many people are expected to regularly be flying on it?
- How often will it be used and how long are anticipated flights?
- Will it be used for leisure or business purposes? Or perhaps a mix of both?
- What types of features are a requirement?
- Will I be flying the plane or will it be staffed by professional pilots?
- How easy is it to fly?
- What kind of landing gear does it come with?
Once you get a better idea of how the aircraft will be used, you can begin to narrow your search based on certain types of aircraft and aircraft models.
Budgeting and Financing Your Jet Purchase
An extension of the research and planning phase involves setting your budget and knowing how you’re going to finance any business jet purchase. As we mentioned in the intro, business jets can cost several million dollars – and this doesn’t include annual maintenance, staffing, parking and ground fees, and more.
Your answers to the questions posed in the above section will likely dictate the type of jet that you’re going to want, so just how do you budget and finance it? In order to properly budget, you’ll need to get an idea of the prospective cost of the aircraft and then consider all the additional costs and fees you’ll have to pay for. Think of it like buying a car. In addition to purchasing the vehicle, you’ll need to account for insurance, maintenance, fuel, registration, and more.
Here are some tips for financing a jet purchase:
- If you don’t have the money on hand to pay cash, you can take out a bank loan, work with a private equity firm, or work with a leasing company to finance it.
- Consider working with an aviation consultant, broker, or lawyer during the purchase process. They can help you find the right jet and help you work through the purchasing process.
Choosing the Right Business Jet
The right business jet for your situation is likely dictated by the results of your research and planning phase. However, one of the biggest decisions you’ll often have to make during the purchase process is whether to seek a new or pre-owned jet. Both have their pros and cons. While new jets are more expensive, they’re equipped with the latest features and include warranties that tend to reduce maintenance costs in the long term. However, pre-owned aircraft are less expensive, depreciate slower, and still often have some key features. What’s more, pre-owned doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a dated aircraft. Many pre-owned aircraft available are only a year or two old. If you go the pre-owned route, just be sure to have it inspected by a professional, qualified aircraft mechanic and retrieve any service records.
Your consultant or lawyer will be able to help you narrow down your aircraft search to the makes and models that best suit you and your needs.
Navigating the Acquisition Process
The aircraft acquisition process can be very tricky, as is the case with most purchases involving high-value targets and properties. It’s where an aviation consultant or lawyer can really come in handy.
Once you find an aircraft that you like, you’ll make an offer. From there, the seller is likely to negotiate until an agreement is reached. Once an agreement is reached, you and the seller will close on the aircraft, usually with the help of your consultant or broker. It’s a process that tends to be similar to purchasing a home considering all the necessary paperwork, title transfer, and other documents involved in the process.
Buying a jet is more like buying a home than buying a vehicle – you’ll want someone on your side representing your best interests, complying with any federal regulations, and helping negotiate the best price possible.
Post-Purchase Logistics
After you’ve figured out how you’re going to officially acquire your jet and have worked with a specialist to get the job done, there are a number of post-purchase logistics that you’ll need to carry out to officially cross the “t’s” and dot the “i’s.” This includes the likes of insurance, registration, and taking care of any asset values, like the hangar and more. These are all tasks that the purchasing consultant or lawyer can help with as well.
In addition to some of the more formal logistics, you may also want to take some steps to make the aircraft feel more like your own. This may consist of detailing the aircraft, upgrading the avionics, and more.
Contact J.A. Air Center Today
For more information on how to buy a jet and successfully navigate the acquisition process, contact J.A. Air Center today.
Navigating Cold Weather Operations: Can Planes Fly in the Snow?
As winter weather sets in, ushering in colder temperatures and presenting unique challenges for aircraft operations, the question arises: Can small aircraft navigate these conditions with the same ease as their jet counterparts? In this article, we’ll not only address the concerns related to snowfall but also provide valuable insights into ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft, particularly smaller ones, in the cold winter months.
Flying in Snow
Flying in cold weather isn’t just possible, but it can also be beautiful and provide a whole new view and perspective when you’re up 30,000 feet above sea level.
We should note that cold weather and snow do not impact a plane’s ability to fly. In fact, when you’re 30,000 feet above sea level, temperatures can be as low as -70 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Planes are simply designed to fly in these cool temperatures.
The biggest threat with flying in snow comes with reduced visibility and accumulation on runways, which can be a major factor during take-off and landings, and during ascent and descent when aircraft travel below the clouds. Once a plane reaches its cruising altitude, it’s typically well above any snow that’s falling. However, while larger jets handle snow well, we understand that small aircraft face unique challenges in cold weather conditions.
While heavy snowfall can reduce visibility, another issue with flying in winter weather tends to be the impact it has on the airport and on the plane when it’s on the ground. Freezing working conditions, improper aircraft storage during the winter months, strong winds, and poor visibility can all take their toll on an aircraft’s ability to fly during winter.
Aircraft Storage in Cold Weather
Aircraft storage is imperative during the winter season. In cold and snowy weather, it’s often not snowfall that will delay a flight, but the effect that cold temperatures can have in preparing an aircraft for takeoff. Hence the importance of proper aircraft storage, especially the night before a planned flight.
So what’s the best way to store an aircraft during the winter season? Ideally, the aircraft is stored in a climate-controlled hangar, where it can be protected from the elements. If it’s not possible to store it in a covered hangar, then try to cover it with something to protect it from the elements.
Winter weather and cold temperatures can impact a plane in a few notable ways. These include:
- Metal contraction
- Freezing fluids
- Brittle parts
Properly protecting an aircraft from the elements when it’s not in the air can help minimize the risk of the aforementioned issues. Some other measures to take during the winter to ensure your plane is able to fly when you need it may include:
- Ensuring you’re using a cold-temperature oil.
- Installing a winterization kit.
- Ensure there’s adequate tread on the wheels and that they’re properly inflated. Unlike vehicles, there aren’t snow tires available for aircraft.
- Check the weather forecast and be prepared.
Preparation for Take-Off
Even if you take the proper measures to protect your plane when it’s not in the air, there’s still likely to be some preparations before you take off. One of the most common pre-flight processes before take-off includes having the plane de-iced. This essentially consists of ensuring that any ice is removed from the wings of the aircraft.
De-icing is important for a few reasons. Keep in mind that an aircraft – specifically its wings – is designed to be aerodynamic and to balance weight, thrust, and drag as it travels through the sky. If this balance is offset, even if it’s the smallest little bit of ice formation on the wings, then performance is going to be impacted. The wings may be less aerodynamic, which can result in handling issues, poor fuel efficiency, slower takeoff speeds, and more.
The deicing process can take some time to carry out, but it’s imperative for a safe, efficient flight. Depending on the size of your aircraft and the rate of accumulation, the process may take more than an hour. Some smaller airplanes also don’t have the proper de-icing equipment integrated into the craft to make deicing possible, which can limit their ability to fly in winter.
What Happens to Runways
Beyond preparing the aircraft to take flight, it’s also important to prepare the airport runways for take-off and landing. A steady snowfall can make this a challenge for crews to keep the runways clear.
Think of runways as you would any street or highway when it snows. Accumulation can build up and make travel challenging until they are cleared. Airports tend to have robust snow management strategies during the winter months that consist of regularly clearing runways and putting down de-icer, but it can still be a challenge to keep these paths clear depending on the weather forecast.
If runways aren’t clear or ice has accumulated on them, it can lead to a lack of traction for an aircraft. This may result in slipping and sliding and make it dangerous to take off and land. Aircraft wheels are similar to any vehicle’s wheels in that they require traction with the pavement to safely maneuver.
Contact J.A. Air Center Today
Flying in the snow is indeed possible, but when temperatures drop, it’s crucial to adopt the right precautions for storing and preparing your aircraft. To learn more about navigating winter weather conditions, ensuring proper storage, and taking the necessary steps for safe flights in colder temperatures, reach out to J.A. Air Center today. We’re here to provide expert guidance for a seamless and secure winter flying experience. Navigating Cold Weather Operations: Can Planes Fly in the Snow?