Air conditioning?

[MackAttack]

Anyone considered using a portable (e.g., Icebox from Aircraft Spruce or Sportys) or installed A/C unit (e.g., AMT Flycool) on their LSA? Here in Houston, at least, it's damn hot on the ramp May-September and even upstairs in the summer ...

http://www.amt-aero.com/flycool.html

http://www.switchboxcontrol.com/icebox

Cheers!

[restlinbaum]

I just fly with the doors off the Remos GX I fly. What part of Houston? I fly out of Pearland KLVJ.

Ray

[drseti]

Since any LSA is going to be payload challenged, and these air conditioners are heavy, that might prove problematical. Two possible solutions are an LSA that can be flown open-canopy or open-cockpit (two examples are the Tecnam Sierra and the venerable Ercoupe), and flying either very early in the morning or very late in the afternoon.

[MackAttack]

I think that the Flycool is about 40 pounds all-in with the second alternator, maybe a bit less. And it may be over $10k although I can't find much specific about pricing. The Icebox is basically a modified Igloo beer chest, which tips in at 10 lbs empty plus whatever ice bags you are using (perhaps 20 lbs total). And that's about $300. So my thinking is you take the Icebox when you need it during the summer and adjust useful load/fuel accordingly, and leave it at home the rest of the year ... But I was curious to know what others had done on the issue. I know in a Cirrus, for example, the A/C is 55 lbs and very expensive to add - but I also know a recent Texas owner that didn't spec it on their Cirri either ...

I love the open-door and open-window flying solution for those that can do it!!

Cheers

[roger lee]

There has been one installed in a Flight Design CT. I personally think it's a waist. I live in Arizona. I use altitude as my AC.

[MrMorden]

Fly higher where it's cooler, open the doors to taxi on the ground.

[dstclair]

I've owned my tinted bubble canopy Sting for over 8 years and fly out of Dallas. I do not consider heat that big of an issue once you fire up that big fan on the nose of the plane. On hotter days, I do not latch the canopy (there are 3 latches) until after the run-up, which allows for a LOT of air to circulate from the prop. I also add cheap window shades:

You will not need AC once you're at most cruising altitudes.

BTW -- I flew out of Houston for 5+ years in a Cherokee 180 and having an AC didn't cross my mind. My Sting outclimbs the 180 so one can get to cooler air faster.

[Cluemeister]

I was walking past a Cirrus SR22 today and looked in the window and saw what looked like a dryer vent sticking up in the back seat pointed to the front. Now I know what that is!

[designrs]

The problem is when it's 90+ degrees outside and the tower wants you to hold short... after taxing to a far away runway!!

On hot days I will fly early morning to small untowered fields where it's quick and easy to get back in the air again.