While some aircraft will continue operations throughout the winter, a large proportion will be stored, ready for the warmer temperatures of spring. If this is the choice you take, there are still several things to consider before leaving your aircraft for the winter:
- Change your oil, ensuring the older oils acidity does not cause pitting or wear on engine components. To learn more about oil choices for stored aircraft, click here;
- Chock the wheels and release the parking brake to prevent brake seizure;
- Blank the inlets, exhausts and vents to prevent moisture and FOD (Foreign Object Debris) entering the engine;
- Protect your aircraft from the elements, either in a hangar or covered with a canopy or dust sheet;
- Apply airframe grease to hinges and linkages as per your maintenance engineers instructions;
- Close the fuel cocks and turn master switches off;
- Fill the fuel tanks, which prevents condensation and eventually corrosion build up within the tank.
