From the Right Seat by Assistant Chief Pilot Peter Rafle It has been a very, very long winter for all of us who like to fly. Some of you won’t think about going flying when the temperature is under 40˚F. Others don’t want to have to bother with pre-heating when the temperature falls below 25˚F. A few of us, however, have ventured out a few mornings this winter with the thermometer bumping up against 6˚! During the many winters I have given instruction, I have counseled my students about scheduling their lesson no earlier than 9:30, so those first period students would pre-flight and start up the very cold airplane. Despite that sage advice, I have had my turn at the pre-heat and cold start routine countless times. The problem with very cold winters is that many pilots do not fly at all. It could mean that three or four months will pass without any flying. Proficiency and skills can slip badly with such a layoff. Reading aviation books and magazine articles can help keep you at least thinking about flying. Taking online courses on FAAsafety.gov. or other learning sites can help a lot to keep those special flying related brain cells functioning. Spring is not that far ahead. The Vernal equinox is on March 20. (First day of Spring!) Plan ahead for that first flight after the big thaw. A flight with your favorite flight instructor may be in order as you get the cobwebs cleared out as you regain your flying skills. Some dual landing, some air work, and some radio communications practice with approach control or a tower may well be in order. An hour or two may be just the way to go as you plan to safely fly more this year during the blue skies, and warm air of spring and summer. Blue skies and fair winds… | 
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