Minimum ground temperature.

[talmacapt]

I remember that the VC10 had a maximum take-off temperature of isa +35 (about 50degrees).

I was asked by wife's granddaughter if there was a minimum temperature for take-off or ground manouevering and didn't know the answer.

Can anyone recall any such for aircraft they have operated.

[Boac]

All I can recall is the 'Captain's walk-round limit' which was 2 degrees................

[talmacapt]

Ha, ha.

Thank goodness for flight engineers.

[reddo]

I've just been checking the AFM for the Challenger 350.
Depending on what fuel is in the wings, we're looking at -30 Deg C. Jet A-1, -35C (This is bulk fuel).
If the OAT is below -30C, the minimum oil temp is 15 deg C for take off. However, for start, minimum oil temp is -40C.
The batteries must be above -20C before take off.

Then there's other limitations once airborne.

[llondel]

Aircraft are designed to operate in very cold temperatures - think of what it's like outside at FL350. However, like us, they don't really like starting up if it's too cold.

I remember when they did a medical recovery from Antarctica out of season - the aircraft landed but kept its engines running while the patient was brought on board, because they didn't want to risk having to restart them at such a low temperature.

[PHXPhlyer]

I think it is still common for Alaska bush pilots who have to overnight where there is no hangar available to drain the engine oil and take it indoors with them.
Brings back memories of my winter in Tusayan, flying Grand Canyon tours, almost thirty-five years ago.
Every afternoon I had to put wing and tail covers on the 2 or 3 planes that I had available to fly, to protect from frost and snow.
Each morning the process was reversed with the addition of pre-heating engines with a propane powered mounted on a cobbed together cart with a 12V battery powered fan blowing hot air into the cowling either through the engine cooling ducts or through the cowl flaps.
Most memorable was the 3' overnight snow that put all the planes on their tails, including the Twotters nextdoor.

PP

[G-CPTN]

There was an Avro Vulcan at Sunderland Airport (directly opposite the Nissan factory) - which subsequently became a museum (of sorts).
When it snowed heavily in 2010 the Vulcan sat on its tail and then had to be 'managed' to let it down lightly.

Sunderland Vulcan.

[PHXPhlyer]

That was the only time that I didn't mind clearing snow off the planes as it became a contest to take progressively less snow off the stabilizer to try to get it perfectly balanced on the mains.

PP

[G~Man]

I know most turbine helicopters I have flown have a maximum starting OAT, normally ISA + 35 give or take......

[reddo]

We were in Kuusamo EFKS in early December. Kittila denied us an overnight spot. Any way, it was -23C overnight so we had to remove all the liquids, drain the coffee machine, the lav and the potable water. Also, had to remove the batteries. That was a bit of a palaver.
On start up, the avionics weren't too happy about every thing. Also, we had a niggly windshield heat fail problem that required a few resets to spark it back into life.

[talmacapt]

You may be interested to know that it is -26 here in Ivalo (EFIV) just now and will be lower tomorrow, possibly below -30.

The coldest place, in Finland, last night was Enontekio (EFET) at -41.7.

Kittila is -30 and Kuusamo is -29.

[Ex-Ascot]

34C at dusk. Only a 60 deg difference!

[reddo]

Wow! Talmacapt, that is seriously cold.
The coldest I have experienced on the ground was -25C in Samedan LSZS. Admittedly, it was a stunning still clear dawn. Spectacular.
Kuusamo was dark, windy and snowy. Brr.

[PHXPhlyer]

0200L
-32^oF (-35.5^oC)
Mile and a half walk home from work (car ill).
As Reddo said, unbelievably still and clear.
Was dressed for it but teary eyes caused eyelashes to freeze to face at just about every blink. Ski goggles might have helped.

PP

[talmacapt]

EFET is -43.7 but only -25.3 outside now, -28 in Kuusamo.

Should be colder tomorrow but forecast to get warmer Saturday night, everything is relative.

The aurora is active, but I will give it a miss this evening.