Cold Weather Flying Gear

[bowen.tim]

I know it is still summer, but the colder weather will be here sooner than we expect, at least at altitude. As a new pilot, I have some questions about cold weather gear. I would like to purchase items before I need them and before the shelves are empty.

What are the best cold weather gloves? Should you use gloves in conjunction with bar mitts?

With a pod harnesses fitting like a glove, what type of cold weather body wear is best? What is the best way to keep your arms warm?

Please add any other items not mentioned that you would recommend for cold weather flying. Also forward your favorite cold weather gear websites, stores, etc.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[andybalkphysics]

I really like the Balacava, which is like a ski mask but with just a hole for your face. It keeps you warm with the added benefit of making you look like a scuba diver.

[mcgowantk]

Hey Tim

I guess it depends on how cold is too cold for you. I fly with some medium style gloves together with bar mitts that I got from Steve Wendt. That set up works for temperatures below zero. If is a cold day, you will need gloves when landing or if the thermals are rowdy and you want a strong grip on the base tube.

The balaclava is a must.

I also would recommend good shoes and socks. Heavy boots are hard to fit in the harness but thin ones can be cold. I use a lighter boot and put on fresh polypro socks just before launching on those cold days, especially when there is snow in the set up area.

I also fly with a fairly light winter jacket but have lots of different polypro tops to wear underneath it depending on the temperature.

Lastly, don't forget to bring water - being dehydrated is a good way to get cold fast. However, blow water back into the reservoir when done drinking so the water doesn't freeze in the line.

Overall, flying in the winter can be fantastic - thermals can be great fun and the views unbeatable. I hope to see you out this winter.

Tom McGowan

[lbunner]

I had a flight several years ago at the Pulpit in February where I froze my butt off. I had to cut the flight short after flying to the ski area to the SE then NW around Hagerstown airspace and east to High Rock. Who would've thought you could fly XC in February? Apparently the locals all knew this but I was unaware and unprepared. I resolved after this flight to never cut a flight short because of the cold. Coming from the Midwest, I rode snowmobiles all winter long for many years in brutal conditions (-39F was the coldest) and although cold, it rarely prevented us from riding. I applied the same technology to my flying after this flight. I wear the same gear that Tom mentioned. In addition, I fly with a full face helmet and visor. There are different weight balaclavas for different temperatures so get a thermal balaclava for the coldest days. Wear long john's (again different weights for different temps) too. For tight fitting harnesses, I wear a down jacket. The great thing about down is its compressibility. It compresses nicely around the chest yet maintains full loft around your arms. I fly with the same gloves year round (ironclad). In cold conditions I put on my Wendt bar mitts and then add a heat pack to each mitt. For my feet I wear small shoes that fit in the boot of my harness. They are not sufficient for cold weather so I put heat pack insoles in each shoe and then put hand warmer heat packs under the tongue. My feet still fit in the harness and my feet stay relatively warm. I haven't tried the electric socks or neoprene boot covers. Maybe the PGers have a better foot solution??

[Matthew]

Hi Tim,

Yep on the balaclava. You can usually find an inexpensive snowmobile suit at sportsmansguide.com. Great insulation and not too bulky. Also, full foot heated insoles-- also usually on sale at sportsmansguide.com... and bar mitts. Steve Wendt at Blue Sky makes great custom bar mitts. Get big ones so your hands will fit. And then put a hand warmer in each mitt before you launch.

Matthew

[krryerson]

Tim,
Though, I don't expect you to buy a new speedbar/basetube for your glider; but, switching out the aluminum to a Carbon speedbar will also benefit you in keeping your hands warmer during colder winter flights.
Knut

[theflyingdude]

Wrap the portion of your aluminum basetube where you grip it with cork bicycle tape. It will allow your hands to stay far warmer than gripping bare aluminum.

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-Supercork-Bi ... cycle+tape

JR

[bowen.tim]

I appreciate all the posts. It would be nice to keep the thread going with more suggestions for us novice pilots.