Does winter suck for flying RC planes?

Started by GiantAntCowboy, January 26, 2021, 05:33:50 PM

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GiantAntCowboy

Hi everyone, I'm up in Norway where its pretty cold and snowy this time of year and recently tried flying my DHC Turbo Beaver in the snow.

I assume most of you don't really get snow and so maybe this short video will be fun to see. (Do any of you live in areas with snow and do you fly? If so I'd love to see some picture or videos.)



Cheers and happy flying!
-Pete

sanjayrai55

Happy Flying Pete! Despite all odds, and the snow

sanjayrai55

In India, we only get snow in the mountains

The Northern plains get pretty cold (typically minimums hit 3 deg C or less) windy and foggy during winter. The fog is a major problem!

K K Iyer

@GiantAntCowboy,

Welcome to this forum.
Nice video, but we simply don't have such conditions in India where people fly model airplanes.
Look forward to what its like to fly models in Norway in the summer

By the way, how did you find this forum?

Regards

Iyer

GiantAntCowboy

Thanks guys.

Hi Sanjay, yea fog and wind are our worst enemy. One morning the fog on the water looked so beautiful that I decided to go for a flight and make a video. White planes quickly disappear into fog and you just hold steady and hope it comes back out. Fortunately it went well and the video came out cool, but probably won't try it again. (The video is on my YouTube if interested)

Hi Iyer, thanks, I'll certainly share some videos in the warmer months, just figure you guys might find snow flying unique.
Curiosity brought me to this site actually, I've watched several RC plane videos on YouTube from India and then I was searching for something and found this forum. So figured I'd check it out!  It's pretty neat to share a hobby and interest with strangers across the world.

Free Flight

#5
At our club we have a 20 plus odd year tradition of "Freeze Fly" on January 1 each year. Usually the temperatures is way below in negative and very gusty winds. One can get about 7 to 8 minute flight in summer, but on freeze fly day a 2 minute flight is considered good. Below is one of those video where the winds were howling, you here it on the microphone,  and just an elevon operated model is difficult to handle as I had no aileron or rudder. Thank God for the powerful motor and a 60 C battery, could keep it close and bring the model home.

PS: That day was cold on the battery that it could barely do a vertical Charlie. Same Lipo in summer on this model will give you unlimited vertical.


Free Flight

However, that being said with negative chill factors due to wind, once in a while you could get calm after the snow. Zero wind. Mind you it is still around Zero C but one can fly Free Flight well. Thermals are present in winter too, so here was my model with an RDT (remote DT, servo) . It is quite enjoyable. No hunting for the model when it comes down as it stands out well on the white snow.

A 10 second motor run with even just a 1S Lipo gives good flight in the cold weather.




GiantAntCowboy

Oh yea wow, you can see the jet struggling in the cold for sure.  I've noticed the lack of power as well, especially with the extra weight from the floats and cameras, and the friction of the snow, it takes full throttle and good distance to take off.

Did a quick flight yesterday to try out a GoPro 8, my CG was very nose heavy, and had a bad landing, so a few repairs are needed now, but the video looks really nice.

Always something to do in this hobby!

Free Flight

"Always something to do in this hobby!"

Yeah, so many planes, so little time.

Enjoy!

This week we will barely touch Zero degrees in the afternoon. With wind gust up to 35 miles per hour, the chill factor is below minus 10 degrees C. Thank God for winter time, build a few models to get ready for the first warm day in spring.