Flying in 110 degree weather SUCKS

SeanD

SeanD

Well-Known Member
Flying in 110 degrees really SUCKS. It was some of the worst flying I have ever experienced and reminded me that not every flight will be a good flight. Our flying this week was on the mighty PA-28 :) . When I finally got the engine started up and brought it to idle it sounded like it was brewing coffee and did so through out the taxi. The instructor told me the airplane would be a little different in the heat. Okay no problem, I was sure it would be okay and planned on having a different type of flying. There was no wind and the roll seemed like it took and eternity to get airborn. At 3500 the airplane started to shake and was very sluggish at everything. We decided to head up to 5000 to cool her down. Nothing, still sluggish and running very hot. I dropped the nose and went down to 4500 to cool it down, that made a little difference but I did not want to snake the plane through out the entire flight. After about 30 minutes trying to keep the plane cool my CFI decided we should land right away and asked if I remember the emergency procedure for a situation like this. WHAT !!!!!??? ARE YOU SERIOUS?? I knew he was testing me so I answered and scanned for a good place to put her down and went through the procedure. No problem there, then the airplane really started acting strange. My CFI asked if I was comfortable to fly and said lets get back now. Lucky for us we were only about 15 miles away from the airport. I never thought I would be that happy to end a flight so soon after it began. That was my 1st taste and I dont want to ever have that feeling again. Its amazing to me the effect weather has on performance. Im convinced there was something wrong with that airplane not weather related. Better luck next time.
 
meritflyer said:
Swamp butt :whatever: ?
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Ha! The elusive Swamp Butt, gets you when you least expect it!

I am in Iraq right now and the Swamp Butt monster is on the attack in this 124 degree weather! Me arguing with Swamp Butt Monster--->:argue:

Sean-
Temperature will and altitude will kick a Pipers A$$. In SoCal where i typically fly there is an aiport Big Bear where the runway elevation is somewhere around 6700 or so feet MSL. Pipers beware because often times in the summer with the humidity and heat the density altitude will be over 8000 feet, at that alt. your average trainer will climb at <100 fpm and require almost all of the runway to get airborne. With training though you can learn to beat the heat and overcome some of these obstacles. I might suggest on a very hot day like that pay a few extra bucks and get a slightly more powerful plane like a 172SP or a PA-180. It is not a huge difference but usually enough to get the job done!
 
USMC-SGT said:
Ha! The elusive Swamp Butt, gets you when you least expect it!

I am in Iraq right now and the Swamp Butt monster is on the attack in this 124 degree weather! Me arguing with Swamp Butt Monster--->:argue:

Sean-
Temperature will and altitude will kick a Pipers A$$. In SoCal where i typically fly there is an aiport Big Bear where the runway elevation is somewhere around 6700 or so feet MSL. Pipers beware because often times in the summer with the humidity and heat the density altitude will be over 8000 feet, at that alt. your average trainer will climb at <100 fpm and require almost all of the runway to get airborne. With training though you can learn to beat the heat and overcome some of these obstacles. I might suggest on a very hot day like that pay a few extra bucks and get a slightly more powerful plane like a 172SP or a PA-180. It is not a huge difference but usually enough to get the job done!
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My CFI has mentioned the SP for the hot days. The FBO only has one and it was in MX. I might venture out to VGT next time since they have more aircraft to choose from. Thanks for the advice. I think I need to hit the books again.
 
Density altitude's a bit#$ huh?

I've been dealing with the same thing lately, it definitely is different, but it makes me feel better about how long it's taking me to get my ppl done, at least I've flown in cold, hot, and in between weather.

What sucks though, is that when it's freezin' balls the a/c performance is a lot better, but you're uncomfortable cuz you got that bulky jacket, or more than warm enough fleece, so you sweat through your shirt. But even worse is when it's friggin' hot, and if you put your time card in your back pocket before a flight and pull it out all soakin' wet from but sweat afterwards...well, that doesn't make your CFI very happy.

Or when you've been wearing the hood for three hours, and it's soaked when you hand it back to your instructor.

Or when you forget deodorant in the morning.:)

Or...you get the point, it's hot here, and my instructor has to deal with my sweat alot.lol:insane: .
 
Yeah man...that density altiude on days like this will get ya! I recently experienced it on a 100+ day last week out at Van Nuys. We were lucky to climb out at 200FPM in a PA28-161 after a ground roll that took forEVER. Not only that, the heat makes me nauseous for some reason. Of course so does mayonaise. :insane:
 
You also have to watch out for that carb ice when it's hot and humid out. One of the other instructors had a 152 die on him as he was entering the pattern. He got a chance to show the student a real power-off 180.:cool:
 
KLB said:
You also have to watch out for that carb ice when it's hot and humid out. One of the other instructors had a 152 die on him as he was entering the pattern. He got a chance to show the student a real power-off 180.:cool:
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That's right, can form up to 100 degrees. Always employ carb heat when outside the green right?
 
MarkE said:
Yeah man...that density altiude on days like this will get ya! I recently experienced it on a 100+ day last week out at Van Nuys. We were lucky to climb out at 200FPM in a PA28-161 after a ground roll that took forEVER. Not only that, the heat makes me nauseous for some reason. Of course so does mayonaise. :insane:
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Haha, It was about 95 here a couple days ago and it took FOREVER to get tha old 172 in the air, it was built in like 1957 and has the worst climb performance of any other plane at my fbo, but its 15 dollars cheaper so i dont care! :D
 
GJ1 said:
Haha, It was about 95 here a couple days ago and it took FOREVER to get tha old 172 in the air, it was built in like 1957 and has the worst climb performance of any other plane at my fbo, but its 15 dollars cheaper so i dont care! :D
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Hahaha...only 95 degrees. I laugh at that! Try 115 in Arizona.
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
Hahaha...only 95 degrees. I laugh at that! Try 115 in Arizona.
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But its not that muggy heat that when you walk outside it feels like you can cut a chunk out the air and drink it haha..
 
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