davidreckitt Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 So, any tips for flying in very cold weather? Okay, obviously dress for the occasion but just wondered if anyone has any incredible tips/experience to pass on.. How long are your flights at these temps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartasutherland Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I can usually manage about 1 hour max. One tip is to park the brakes when flying at height and keep your hands on your lap or lower to keep the blood reaching your fingers. Handwarmers in your gloves help too. Try not to take off with cold hands or feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markpulling Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 If your motor is electric start make sure your battery is fuly charged the night before, cold weather starts can sap a batterys power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I go along with Stuart, keeping hands high is agony after a while when it's sub zero. Keep hands and feet warm for as long as possible before take off (it's my hands that make me land before anything else when it's really cold). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon_dunn Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Generally I park the brakes too and sit on my hands to keep them warm. Gloves are essential too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 The biggest tip I was given by an SAS solider was to swing your arms around as fast as you can for as long as you can. this forces warm blood into your hands. Also, Warm up your gloves before you put them on! Doing both simple things will massively extend your winter flight times due to cold hands. PS WINTER FLYING IS ACE!!!! SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 The biggest tip I was given by an SAS solider was to swing your arms around as fast as you can for as long as you can. this forces warm blood into your hands. Also, Warm up your gloves before you put them on! Doing both simple things will massively extend your winter flight times due to cold hands. PS WINTER FLYING IS ACE!!!! SW Swing them around before take off not during or after 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob999 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I'm not a flyer, but do spend lots of time outside .... Don't underestimate food !! Sounds silly, but a high protein hit before a flight will fire up the internal furnace.. A good old bacon sarnie works wonders, carbs, fats and protein all in one lovely little handful...In flight, maybe peanuts, bombay mix, or an energy bar etc.. Remember that if you've been out for 2 hrs or more and suddenly start cooling down, its a food issue. More clothes will not keep you warm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Good advice! SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommcb6016 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Heated under gloves and heated insoles then fly gin winter gloves on top! Hot hot hot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil1975 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I always seem to get draughts in the clothing gaps around my wrists, ankles, neck etc. Gaiters work well, along with tucking trousers into socks. Under a flying suit no one can tell! For wrists a long sleeved top with thumb holes works well & for neck I use a goretex motorcycle balaclava. I have to say last year that I was seriously looking at heated gloves - whatever I do I can only really stay up for an hour before I get cold (although the last time I flew in the cold it was -4 & my engine blew up before I had a chance to get too cold) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Also see this post viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7217 Cheers, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 heated Gloves!!! toasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyfreefly Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Hot water bottle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidreckitt Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 Some great ideas guys, thanks, just got back from an hour flying around burrator reservoir..hand and feet held up real well. I have a merino base layer, 2shirts, fleece, jeans, full lined flying suit, jacket, balaclava, helmet, thick socks gloves,and mountain boots on. Stil didnt get too hot and its only around +6 or so! Gonna look like a real gimp when it gets really cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Lucky sod!!! Where abouts do you live to be able to buzz Burrator ? I lived in Princetown for about 16 years. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob999 Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Does anyone make or sell an 'overmit' for the brakes. If you're a kayaker, a pogie type affair, just to keep your gloves out of the wind. It would completley remove the wind chill factor. Bikers will know them as handlebar muffs... Just a thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidreckitt Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 Lucky sod!!! Where abouts do you live to be able to buzz Burrator ? I lived in Princetown for about 16 years. SW South Brent - got couple launches in the area around the clay mines My next trip it to head further north to the huge TV aerial next to princetown then turn right and buzz around Fenworthy reservoir & forect before heading back downwind Malin & I have just set up a new club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Nice one, I know that area very well indeed. !! The guys in the Plumb of Feathers (inn) at Princetown have a large field at the back of the pub and have never moaned at me for landing and having some scoff The Clay Pits are called, 'cat over bridge' believe it or not! LOL I am close to my winter trip to Dartmoor so will PM you when I am there. (most likely I will stay somewhere around Princetown or Tavistock while there. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidreckitt Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 Awesome simon! Thanks for the tip. Coincidentally i am in princtown now on a job. Will pop into the pub for a chat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curiosity Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Simon When you say you spent 16 years in Princetown I wonder whether it was at your pleasure or Her Majesty's! Hate to think what you must have done to deserve that long a stretch. You weren't supplying Revo wings with crossed lines were you? Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemberg Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Electric heated gloves make a huge difference. I use a pair that has batteries in the gloves. Keeps the hands warm for at least a couple of hours. I use a mask with heat ex-changer as well. Normally used by climbers or by people running in cold weather and such. You loose quite a lot heat through respiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Hi Guy's We have a range of heated gloves from Blaze ware. They have also come out with a new Heated Inner glove that will Provide up to 5 hours of heat to keep your hands warm. One size fit's all. They fit perfectly under my winter north face gloves and have kept my hands warm so far this year. I used the heated power max gloves last year and thought they were good but these new inner gloves are 100% better. There not mega cheap @ £90 inc the batteries and charger but there allot cheaper than the Fly style gloves from Nirvana. But if you want to fly in -10 -20 then the Fly style gloves are the Bollox but they would be @ £200+ Regards Mark Sussex Paramotors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry roberts Posted September 18, 2022 Share Posted September 18, 2022 On 10/29/2012 at 5:23 PM, davidreckitt said: So, any tips for flying in very cold weather? Okay, obviously dress for the occasion but just wondered if anyone has any incredible tips/experience to pass on.. How long are your flights at these temps? Don't fly lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted September 18, 2022 Share Posted September 18, 2022 Yes plenty of thinner layers under a good flying suit. Long johns and a long sleeved T shirt so you have layers on your legs and arms, plus upper layers. Generally about 40 minutes I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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