Winter flying demands more than heavier clothing and de-icing fluid; it requires a fundamental mindset shift. Conditions that feel routine in summer can quickly become unforgiving in cold weather, often with little warning and no margin for error. For this blog, we partnered with Leigh Coates, who shares her firsthand guidelines for flying safely in winter conditions.
Leigh Coates x Switlik Survival Products: A partnership
Leigh is a commercial helicopter pilot with over 20 years of experience, based in Alaska, an environment that has deeply shaped her knowledge of cold-weather operations. She is qualified in multiple rotorcraft, including the MD 500/520, Bell 505, Airbus H130/H125, and Robinson R44/66, Bell 407, and Bell 412, and she regularly shares the beauty of the landscapes she flies over through her social accounts.
A loyal Switlik customer for 15 years, Leigh trusts our gear on every single flight. She wears our X-Back MOLLE Constant Wear Life Vest, relying on it not only for protection but as an essential part of her survival strategy. With MOLLE compatibility, the vest allows her to carry critical gear on her person, which she firmly believes is true survival equipment. So versatile, she even wears it in desert environments.
The X-Back MOLLE is one of four vests in the X-Back Collection, which was recently redesigned for improved comfort, ergonomic shoulder adjustment, and zero bulk behind the neck, making it ideal for demanding flight conditions year-round.
Learn more about the X-Back Collection on our website, and keep reading for Leigh’s expert winter flying insights.
A Different Visual Environment: Ice, Flat Light, and Whiteout Risk
In winter, visibility threats multiply quickly. Thin, wispy layers of moisture that might seem harmless in July can become deadly ice fog in colder months. Ice fog can instantly coat every exposed surface of the aircraft, including the windshield, turning usable visibility to zero in seconds. There is often no warning and no time to recover. In winter operations, anything that looks even slightly questionable should be avoided.
Flat light presents another serious hazard. With reduced contrast and visual cues, it becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, to judge slopes, terrain, and height above ground. Always maintain at least three points of visual reference and an escape route, and be prepared to abandon an approach early at the first sign of degraded reference.
Blowing snow compounds these challenges. Even with good ceilings and reported visibility, rotor wash or wind-driven snow can create instant whiteout conditions, often right when visual cues are needed most, close to the ground. Slow, deliberate approaches are critical. Be ready to stop or go around immediately if references are lost. In some cases, hovering just high enough for rotor downwash to clear the top layer of loose snow can restore visibility, but only if done deliberately and cautiously.
Short Days and Tight Timelines: Managing Winter Light
Winter daylight disappears faster than many pilots expect. Short days, low sun angles, and overcast skies mean usable light fades quickly. If your summer policy is to be back at base 30 minutes before sunset, winter operations demand a more conservative buffer.
Extra time is also needed on the ground. Cold weather increases post-flight tasks such as installing covers, securing tie-downs, and managing frozen equipment. Rushing any phase of the operation as light fades increases risk, always plan accordingly.
Aircraft Performance Starts on the Ground
Winter performance begins before takeoff. If the rotor system is not perfectly clean, do not launch. Even a small amount of frost, snow, or ice on the main rotor blades, tail rotor, stabilizers, or engine intakes can severely degrade performance. Never assume contamination will shed or blow off during startup or hover. If you cannot positively confirm a clean aircraft, the flight does not happen.
Cold temperatures are equally hard on batteries and systems. A battery that performs fine in summer may fail without warning in winter. Keep batteries warm whenever possible, minimize cold-soak time, and treat every start with respect. Cold weather exposes weak components quickly.
Pilots should also establish a hard minimum operating temperature and stick to it. Temperature inversions can make ground-level conditions significantly colder than what is observed a few hundred feet above. Plan for the coldest part of the flight, not the warmest.
Despite improved engine performance in cold air, pilots should assume they have less power margin than the numbers suggest. Winter operations add weight, drag, and risk. Snow-covered surfaces, cold-soaked components, and degraded hover conditions can quickly erode margins. Perform power checks you trust and always maintain an option to set the aircraft back down.
Ground Operations: Snow, Ice, and Dynamic Rollover Risk
Winter dramatically increases the risk of dynamic rollover. Snow hides slope and uneven terrain, while ice removes friction. Skids can slide unexpectedly, even on surfaces that appear flat.
Set downs should be slow and deliberate. Feel for initial skid contact and continue to verify all four corners of the skids while slowly reducing collective. In soft snow, confirm the helicopter is fully seated before applying a firm collective “tap” to press the skids down into the surface.
During pickup, be alert for skids freezing to the ground. Anticipate this with gentle forward and aft cyclic rocking as power is added, ensuring the aircraft breaks free evenly. Monitor yaw closely and be ready to correct with pedals as collective and throttle changes are made. Always ensure adequate clearance around the tail rotor before attempting liftoff.
Human Factors: Cold Changes Everything
Winter flying shortens survival timelines. A minor mechanical issue or forced landing can become life-threatening in cold conditions. Always carry more survival gear than you think you’ll need. Extra layers, shelter, fire-starting tools, food, and signaling equipment are essential, not optional.
Inside the cockpit, stay ahead of the interior climate. Manage heater, defog, and demister systems early and continuously. Windshield fog or ice can build rapidly and destroy visibility. Climate control is a safety system, not a comfort feature.
Finally, slow everything down, including decision-making. Cold reduces dexterity, bulky clothing changes control feel, and winter pressures can tempt pilots to rush. Take extra time, make deliberate inputs, and be willing to say no.
The Bottom Line
Winter helicopter flying is about discipline, margins, and patience. Clean blades, reliable visual references, warm systems, generous daylight buffers, and conservative decisions are what keep pilots and aircraft intact through the winter season.
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