"Lakeview Bill" wrote in message
m...
How necessary would it be to have a pitot heater if you are flying
year-round VFR day (only) in the Chicago area?


I'll vote "very necessary." Once at the Naval Nuclear Power Preparatory
School, in North Chicago, there was ice on my windshield so thick I
broke the tip off my Herter's sheath knife trying to get it off the
windshield of my car. About 1/4" to 3/8" thick. And that was during the
day in VFR conditions.

John Lowry
Flight Physics