By Ray Leis

rplanes seem to like cold weather, better than any other season. They pick up speed more rapidly on takeoff roll, and lift off with less effort. The controls seem to react more quickly, with a firmer feel. Engines produce more power than on a hot, soggy August afternoon. The fact is, cold air and airplanes do well together. Well, most of the time. There are a few drawbacks.

There is, of course, the problem of airframe icing, which we have addressed in these pages. But that’s not what I want to talk about. …