Temperatures acceptable for equipment while flying.....?

[Grow Pattern]

Hi Chris,
              My rule of thumb is to not fly pattern stuff below 40F on the ground. Batteries don't last too long when you get up there and it is below 32F in the air. Different expansion and contraction rates between materials and glue joints, for me, are a real cause for concern. Stuff does get brittle, even engine mounts and "plastic" spinners.

You do see significant trim changes due to the fuselage getting shorter. Also pull-pull wires can get too taught, stab tubes loosen and engine mixes go way off.

I will fly wooden planes when it gets cold but not the FG stuff.

Regards,

Eric.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: White, Chris 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 8:05 AM
  Subject: Temperatures acceptable for equipment while flying.....?


  Hi,

  Hey, I was out flying on Christmas Eve in OK and it was about 22 degrees.....  I spent extra time warming the YS at idle, but thoughts were crossing my mind about how bad the cold weather is on our equipment (nylon components etc....) .  I'm sure the guys up North have limits on cold temps and I'd be interested to hear your concerns or special cares.

  I'm running a balsa/foam airplane, YS140 Sport (30% CP Heli fuel), and a JR PCM 10X with Digitals and Nimh batteries.

  Thanks for your feedback....!
  Chris White 
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