Hi Da62 peers.
I was reading through our POH and saw a definition of "Minimum Engine starting fuel temperature" - but nowhere it is stated on what number that temperature is - so what is now the minimum temp to start our engine? I am reading just -30 to 60 deg Celsius for the "fuel temperatures" allowed, but nothing specific on engine start and takeoff. A friend recommended to get engine pre-heat for temp below -20 deg Celsius which we might experience for a flight this winter, but if there's no limitation except the -30 deg Celsius fuel limit, I do not understand why engine pre heat would be neccessary...
Anyone has any other experience in very cold operations?
Thanks and keep on flying everyone. Our DA62 is a fantastic machine, best buy ever, touring a lot through Europe with it.
Felix
Minimum Engine Start Temperature / Cold Ops
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- UTMark
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Re: Minimum Engine Start Temperature / Cold Ops
I think Section 2.4 in the POH states the Gearbox temperature range is what you indicated also: -30C. I think you could apply to the engine in general. Like most diesel engines, they can struggle in colder temperatures (not to mention you're batteries also).
I live in Utah and we have discussed flights into cold temperatures. My plane is hangared most of the time, but in the case of flying to a destination and having to leave the aircraft out...
Tanis has an engine pre-heat kit for Austro engines: https://www.tanisaircraft.com/product/p ... l-3001-230
If you don't want to pay $1400 per engine... you could also consider a couple of pre-heaters: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... -12224.php
Credit to my friend/instructor Sam Davis who did his homework on this stuff for us back in the day...
I live in Utah and we have discussed flights into cold temperatures. My plane is hangared most of the time, but in the case of flying to a destination and having to leave the aircraft out...
Tanis has an engine pre-heat kit for Austro engines: https://www.tanisaircraft.com/product/p ... l-3001-230
If you don't want to pay $1400 per engine... you could also consider a couple of pre-heaters: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... -12224.php
Credit to my friend/instructor Sam Davis who did his homework on this stuff for us back in the day...
KSPK, Spanish Fork, UT
N100DA DA-62 62.078
N100DA DA-62 62.078
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Re: Minimum Engine Start Temperature / Cold Ops
-30˚C is -22˚F which is pretty cold. They park most of the planes outside at the factory in London, ON.
I started at the factory at -8˚C (17˚F), and flew to Michigan at -13˚C (8˚F) in the DA40NG with no cold weather baffle in the fuel cooling intake.
I started at the factory at -8˚C (17˚F), and flew to Michigan at -13˚C (8˚F) in the DA40NG with no cold weather baffle in the fuel cooling intake.
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Re: Minimum Engine Start Temperature / Cold Ops
Hi Felix,
Our 62 is in a non heated hangar in Western Nebraska. We don’t do any real early flights so the temps are usually about close to freezing or mid 20’s. I try to start mine once a week for trips or joy rides to help with the batteries, but have seen no issues with temps in the low 20’s.
I know the checklist says you can go up to 50% power for engine warm up, but I don’t go any higher then 10%. Easier on the seals and everything with the cold oil I think. For takeoff temps, I don’t even do the ECU A/B switch test and run up test until ALL engine temps are in the green. Knock on wood, I’ve had no ECU fault messages yet with almost 5 months of flying.
Our 62 is in a non heated hangar in Western Nebraska. We don’t do any real early flights so the temps are usually about close to freezing or mid 20’s. I try to start mine once a week for trips or joy rides to help with the batteries, but have seen no issues with temps in the low 20’s.
I know the checklist says you can go up to 50% power for engine warm up, but I don’t go any higher then 10%. Easier on the seals and everything with the cold oil I think. For takeoff temps, I don’t even do the ECU A/B switch test and run up test until ALL engine temps are in the green. Knock on wood, I’ve had no ECU fault messages yet with almost 5 months of flying.
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Re: Minimum Engine Start Temperature / Cold Ops
Guys,
thanks so much for your answers (and sorry for not replying earlier). Very helpful.
We'll hop over the atlantic from Germany to Miami (via Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada) on Saturday, weather pending... really looking forward to the trip!! ) It's -25 Celsius at some stops, so within the -30 Celsius range of our aircraft... Wearing thick winter clothing )
Cheers,
Felix
thanks so much for your answers (and sorry for not replying earlier). Very helpful.
We'll hop over the atlantic from Germany to Miami (via Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada) on Saturday, weather pending... really looking forward to the trip!! ) It's -25 Celsius at some stops, so within the -30 Celsius range of our aircraft... Wearing thick winter clothing )
Cheers,
Felix
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Re: Minimum Engine Start Temperature / Cold Ops
Good luck on your adventure! Looking forward to reading about it and hearing tips for following in these footsteps. (Some excellent video diaries on YouTube about crossing the Atlantic.) Even just details such as if your feet freeze or if you manage without cup holders. I've never flown in a survival suit and wonder if some people choose not to wear one.