P-3C Cold Weather Ops

Front 1

cold weather: warming the cabin on preflight

Back 1

begin warming cabin 30-45 min prior to power up of electronic equipment

Front 2

cold weather: preflight use of windshield heat

Back 2

- normally, allow it to warm with the cabin before turning heat on
- if necessary, turn on low for a few seconds, then off for a minute, and repeat
- prevents thermal shock

Front 3

cold weather: items to check carefully on exterior preflight

Back 3

- static ports
- landing gear
- flight controls
- fuel drains
- propellers
- engine inlets
- aircraft tiedowns

Front 4

cold weather: ice / snow on forward radome and windshields

Back 4

- windshield - should melt with windshield heat; use full-strength isopropyl alcohol if not
- radome - remove snow so it doesn't blow on to the windshield on takeoff

Front 5

cold weather: snow / ice on top of wings

Back 5

- snow is efficiently removed with a broom
- deicing solution can be used
- safety harness is mandatory if walking on wings with snow / ice

Front 6

cold weather: flight controls / flaps preflight

Back 6

- ensure ice / snow will not cause damage before moving flight controls, trim tabs, or flaps
- move flight controls slowly at first, more actuations will warm up the actuator fluid
- lower flaps and inspect for ice / snow, especially on upper surface and flap tracks; if freezing rain or snowing, retract to UP after inspection
- look for hydraulic leaks

Front 7

cold weather: exterior propeller preflight

Back 7

- inspect for ice / snow (don't damage the prop trying to get ice off)
- stand well clear of prop arc during starts in case of flying ice
- if temp is below freezing, don't cycle the prop blades unnecessarily
- check for leaks; do a servicing check after warming up the prop fluid / engine (<0 C)

Front 8

cold weather: APU and engine inlets preflight

Back 8

- inspect for ice accumulation
- periodically inspect APU for ice buildup on intake screen
- engine covers should remain on until starts (except for inspection) if freezing rain or snow

Front 9

cold weather: landing gear preflight

Back 9

- gear, doors, uplocks, and struts free of ice and snow
- proper tire inflation; use ground heaters to free tires frozen to the ground

Front 10

cold weather: fuel drains preflight

Back 10

- ice particles may prevent drains from closing
- check for ice in fuel samples

Front 11

cold weather: static ports preflight

Back 11

no ice or snow

Front 12

cold weather: deicing precautions

Back 12

- as close to takeoff time as possible
- remove cooling plugs so you don't have to walk on wings
- inform the crew so they don't open the door
- ground a/c off (fumes) when deicing forward of wing; ground a/c on when deicing aft of wing (negative pressure relief valve)
- don't spray fluid into static ports, engine inlets, or tailpipes; nacelles shall not be deiced
- don't slip walking around afterwards

Front 13

cold weather: foul weather system preflight and setup for takeoff

Back 13

- emp / prop - tested if to be used
- wing - tested (caution: full operation on ground prohibited)
- engine - tested; on for taxi and takeoff with <8 C and visible moisture

Front 14

cold weather: engines may be started at temps as low as ___; recommended method

Back 14

- down to -40 C with normal oil

- start engines symmetrically in low rpm and start the clock
- when oil temp is >20 C, shift to normal rpm
- with (1) oil temp >20 C and (2) 10 min after starts, set 1000 shp
- at 40 C with no RGB oil pressure flux, max power can be set
Caution: don't set asymmetric power if on snow / ice

Front 15

cold weather: taxi on packed snow, slush, or ice

Back 15

1. inspect the taxi route before starting taxi
2. bring crew forward for weight on nosewheel
3. flaps up
4. check APU doors closed before taxiing
5. low or normal rpm (symmtrical); don't overcontrol
6. aileron into a crosswind, yoke aft with strong tailwind
7. if nosewheel becomes cocked, stop, straighten it, and continue
8. rest hand on NWS to judge turn rate, but don't use it
9. 30 inch prop-ground clearance; fuel and ignition switch - OFF if prop hits snow bank
10. brakes may lock and slide on ice at temps near freezing
11. reverse thrust may throw FOD ahead of the aircraft

Front 16

cold weather: distance to ___ on an icy runway may be ___ compared to a dry runway

Back 16

accelerate and stop twice that required for dry runway

Front 17

cold weather: how will dry snow, standing water, and ice affect takeoff roll and braking distance

Back 17

dry snow / standing water:
- takeoff roll is longer
- braking is better

ice
- takeoff roll is shorter
- braking is not so good

Front 18

cold weather: with runway conditions having ___ of slush or standing water or ___ of dry snow, takeoffs are ___

Back 18

3/4 inch of standing water or 5 inches of dry snow, takeoffs are not recommended

Front 19

cold weather: airspeeds in excess of ___ tend to reduce ice formation on ___

Back 19

>200 KIAS
underside of wings and emp

Front 20

cold weather: descent for approach in icing

Back 20

gear and flaps up so they don't collect icing
(flaps lowered on long final)

Front 21

cold weather: approaches in icing (foul weather system)

Back 21

engine - keep on through landing
wing - cycle on final approach to clear the wings

Be alert for NTS at flight idle when using bleed air.

Front 22

cold weather: approaches in gusty winds

Back 22

fly 5-10 kts fast, but touchdown on speed

Note: 10 kts fast at touchdown can increase stopping distance 1000 ft

Front 23

cold weather: what to do with flaps after landing

Back 23

- raising to takeoff will help prevent damage from flying debris
- after landing on slush or snow covered runway, do not retract beyond takeoff

Front 24

cold weather: do not set the parking brake...

Back 24

in freezing weather or when brakes are overheated