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#1
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water balast?
I have only flown as a passenger once in a sailplane, and thus, will ask the
obvious question. Is water blast used in temperatures where it is likely to freeze? If so, what is done to prevent this? Thanks ...john |
#2
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Not a good idea to have it freeze you could blow the wing up.
Fly with out water. More likely to freeze in winter. Flight level 235 in August was -30oC http://www.mals.net/bunyan04/pages/Picture%20013.htm the grease starts to freeze. Mal www.mals.net "JohnWN in Burke, VA" wrote in message news:41FSd.689$2s.199@lakeread06... I have only flown as a passenger once in a sailplane, and thus, will ask the obvious question. Is water blast used in temperatures where it is likely to freeze? If so, what is done to prevent this? Thanks ...john |
#3
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Ridge flights in the spring can expose the sailplane to near freezing
conditions at ridge height ... or definitely during periods when you have to climb as the temp drops quickly as altitude gained. Many pilots add some anti-freeze if they expect to be in sub-freezing conditions for any lenght of time. This is not as extreme as automotive protection ... a light amount of antifreze (I add windshield washer fluid to wing water and use 100% in the tail tank as the volume is smaller and will freeze more quickly.) to depresses the freezing point by 10 degress or so ... let say down to 20F. Sailplanes have no heat ... so these temps can get pretty uncomfortable quickly ... i.e. we don't stay there. :-) BTW, we have thermometers to measure outside air temp. So, we typically don't fly in extended freezing conditions with H20 ... but may be in sub 32F conditions for a short time anticipatieng we will be out quickly ... and will often add antifreeze if we expect some type of possible longer exposure ... even if not extended. KK JohnWN in Burke, VA wrote: I have only flown as a passenger once in a sailplane, and thus, will ask the obvious question. Is water blast used in temperatures where it is likely to freeze? If so, what is done to prevent this? Thanks ...john |
#4
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Most manufactures recommend dumping once the temperature lowers to 4
degrees C. As noted by Ken, we have strategies for using water in sub-freezing conditions, but there is some risk associated. These include accumulation of ice on the tail due to leaks or freeezing shut of the dump valves. Using the 4C mark guarantees avoiding both problems. But as in all things, good judgement and forethought can expand the envelope a little. One simply has to understand and effectively manage the increased risk. |
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