Icing, why does it not happen to other engines?

[RkyMtnHI]

We had a student bring up a good question today and were surprised at the answeres we got when we asked around.

 

What is your opinion?

 

Why does icing not affect other engines; snowblowers, dirt bikes etc.

 

dp

[DaveKnell]

My answer is that it may, but the engine quitting on your snowblower isn't quite as serious as when it happens in your helicopter. And the lack of a freewheeling clutch on most other engine-driven vehicles means that a transient dip in power due to ice clearing when opening the throttle isn't really noticeable: there's something else there to keep the engine turning over.

 

Going back many years, my 1972 Land Rover's inlet manifold was jacketed by the engine's coolant, and so heated to a pretty stable 90C. That'd be likely to prevent most forms of icing.

 

--Dave

[Snowman]

We had a student bring up a good question today and were surprised at the answeres we got when we asked around.

 

What is your opinion?

 

Why does icing not affect other engines; snowblowers, dirt bikes etc.

 

dp

 

Just spoke with our snowmobile mechanic on Vail Mountain, he stated that many snowmobiles have carb heat, but a lot of other winter equipment is built with the exhaust or cooling system (hot side) so close to the carb that they provide the heat to keep the carbs from icing. He also stated that in many applications the carbs would ice up without this radiant heat provided by the exhaust. I’m no expert but it sound to me like other engines would have carb icing issues if they did not have some type of heat at the carb, possibly we are more aware of the issue on aircrafts due to the negative outcome of carb icing.

[lelebebbel]

in carburetor cars, the carbs are under the hood next to the engine where it is nice and warm. In a helicopter or airplane, the carburetors are much more exposed to cold air.

Also, most motorcycle have slide type (constant depression) carburetors. Maybe these are less prone to icing. Not sure about other vehicles.

 

The carbs on my motorcycle did ice up under certain conditions, mostly when riding in rain at constant throttle setting for extended periods of time. You could get electric carb heat for it under warranty if you wanted.

[jaredsega]

Seriously you guys, CFI are having trouble with this, WOW! Please do some wrenching at some point in your flying careers!on cars bikes airplanes or something. you will be very great full you have.

[RkyMtnHI]

Seriously you guys, CFI are having trouble with this, WOW! Please do some wrenching at some point in your flying careers!on cars bikes airplanes or something. you will be very great full you have.

 

 

Actually, the ones that couldn't answer the questions were students.. but it was interesting who could and couldn't and i thought it would be a good topic to see what came up here. This is one of the areas that has raised an eyebrow with us too in the past, how some pilots make it thru to CFI and don't understand their platforms at all. We are considering developing a program to cover more of this stuff in the future, we don't expect them to be A&Ps, but more than a general understanding would be nice!! :-)

 

Too bad Robinson is the only company that has a $500 factory course... If you have a chance to go to Frank's school GO!

 

dp

[DeltaKilo]

Seriously you guys, CFI are having trouble with this, WOW! Please do some wrenching at some point in your flying careers!on cars bikes airplanes or something. you will be very great full you have.

 

I couldn't agree with this statement more.

 

Being a mechanic, or at least having some experience, is so beneficial. All engines are the same in principal, and if you understand how it works, you then know why it works.

 

IMO mechanics make better pilots/operators/drivers....But, I think this topic is outside of the scope.

[mechanic]

IMO mechanics make better pilots/operators/drivers....But, I think this topic is outside of the scope.

 

Thanks.....

 

jking..

 

I think that having mechanical knowledge has been very benefical to me doing this heli thing. My professional training was based on industrial truck, ie Fire Trucks.. They have lots of linkages and systems and working on my 2 ole VW bugs. Had a 67' and 72' years ago.

 

 

My 04' Kawasaki Vulcan 750 would ice up on very hot humid days decelerating on the interstate, um 70-75 mph speeds to 55-60ish mph. It actually left me on side of the interstate one day. I had to keep twisting in more power until it just quit. I sit on the side of the rode for about 3 mins, then it was good to go again. I am thinking the temps was like 98 or 99f with humid low 90%'s. Was a real pain in the butt to have that happen in traffic.

 

I never thought to ask the dealer if there was a heater kit they could install on it...humm....oh well, I sold that bike to help buy the daugther a car.