bferrer2000
Member
Greetings,
I own an RV-6 with O-360-A1A and 800 engine hours. I have 600 RV-6/tailwheel hours, fly weekly, and my RV-6 is currently hangared at Colorado Air and Space Port KCFO (formerly Front Range Airport/KFTG). Yesterday I was notified by Rocky Mountain Metro (KBJC) that a T-Hangar is available, and it's my turn after being waitlisted for 3 years! The rent is considerably cheaper, and my airport commute would decrease since I live in central Denver, so I'm considering the move.
I have some questions for RV pilots hangared @ KBJC or in the Denver metro area:
* Winter Flying. I believe that the BJC T-hangar is not heated. My RV6 has been in heated hangars, between 33-45 deg F, since 2014 when I brought it to Colorado from Florida. For those storing your RV in un-heated hangars,
* Wind Shear. I've heard through off-hand conversations that wind shear is a concern for some pilots of light aircraft at BJC when there are high winds from the West/Northwest. I fly regularly over/through the mountains to the west and avoid doing so when winds aloft exceed 25 Knots. I have experienced very little wind shear at Front Range.
* Mechanic. I did not build my plane, but I am a "helper" in all maintenance activities so I can learn as well as reduce costs. I'm very happy with my mechanic at Front Range, but if hangared at BJC it could be difficult to fly back to Front Range for mechanical work. Does anybody have a "less expensive" mechanic contact at BJC that they would recommend?
Thank you in advance to anybody who replies to this message. Your feedback is appreciated.
Bryan Ferrer
RV-6 / N2GX
I own an RV-6 with O-360-A1A and 800 engine hours. I have 600 RV-6/tailwheel hours, fly weekly, and my RV-6 is currently hangared at Colorado Air and Space Port KCFO (formerly Front Range Airport/KFTG). Yesterday I was notified by Rocky Mountain Metro (KBJC) that a T-Hangar is available, and it's my turn after being waitlisted for 3 years! The rent is considerably cheaper, and my airport commute would decrease since I live in central Denver, so I'm considering the move.
I have some questions for RV pilots hangared @ KBJC or in the Denver metro area:
* Winter Flying. I believe that the BJC T-hangar is not heated. My RV6 has been in heated hangars, between 33-45 deg F, since 2014 when I brought it to Colorado from Florida. For those storing your RV in un-heated hangars,
What has been your engine pre-heating practice in the winter?
What product or homemade heating devices do you use?
What other feedback or opinions do you have about storing your RV in an unheated hangar and starting up for flight in the cold months?
* Wind Shear. I've heard through off-hand conversations that wind shear is a concern for some pilots of light aircraft at BJC when there are high winds from the West/Northwest. I fly regularly over/through the mountains to the west and avoid doing so when winds aloft exceed 25 Knots. I have experienced very little wind shear at Front Range.
What are your personal minimums when deciding whether to depart from or land at BJC?
Have you experienced dangerous wind shear at BJC?
Have you decided against flying to/from BJC because of PIREPs for wind shear or weather conditions that could result in wind shear? How often?
* Mechanic. I did not build my plane, but I am a "helper" in all maintenance activities so I can learn as well as reduce costs. I'm very happy with my mechanic at Front Range, but if hangared at BJC it could be difficult to fly back to Front Range for mechanical work. Does anybody have a "less expensive" mechanic contact at BJC that they would recommend?
Thank you in advance to anybody who replies to this message. Your feedback is appreciated.
Bryan Ferrer
RV-6 / N2GX