General Aviation

Mastering Aircraft Engine Leaning – Introducing “The Red Fin” Concept and Considerations for Optimal Operation In a previous blog post, we delved into the intricacies of aircraft engine leaning, advocating the benefits of lean-of-peak (LOP) operations. We discussed how a cleaner and gentler combustion can enhance engine longevity, reliability, and the overall cost-efficiency of flight […]

The Pilot-Owner, Not the Aircraft Mechanic, Should Take Charge of Troubleshooting I’ve observed a surprising behaviour among many aircraft operators over the years. Strangely enough, when pilots leave their aircraft at a maintenance shop, they often grant carte blanche for all tasks, necessary or not, to ensure airworthiness. Without questioning the need or reason, they

How and Why Exhaust Valves Fail, and How to Avoid and Detect It! The intake and exhaust valves are essential components of an aircraft engine. The exhaust valve, in particular, faces harsh conditions and significant thermal stress. An exhaust valve failure can be catastrophic. However, the reasons behind such failures can be understood, allowing for

Protecting Your Aircraft Engine from Rapid Damage. Detonation and pre-ignition are two distinct abnormal combustion events that can arise in internal combustion engines (ICEs). It’s essential to prevent these events to protect your aircraft engine. While they’re independent, they’re sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably. However, one can lead to the other; for instance, detonation can trigger

Sometimes Temperature Limits Matter – Understanding the Importance of EGT and CHT. Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) and Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) are familiar terms every pilot has encountered. Unfortunately, the vast majority of pilots do not fully grasp their meaning and significance. Often, pilots associate EGT solely with leaning procedures and limits they have learned

Five Reasons Why an Aircraft Hangar Is Worth the Investment! Many pilot-owners often question the necessity of an aircraft hangar. To save on expenses, the decision to park the aircraft on the ramp is sometimes made hastily. However, informed pilot-owners consider the environment to which their aircraft is exposed. They weigh the advantages of an

More Than Just Warming the Oil – The True Purpose of Pre-Heating. While many pilot-owners have heard of engine pre-heating, only a minority practice it. Fewer still understand its true purpose, often attributing it solely to warming up the engine oil. While it’s correct that in cold conditions, single-grade oil requires heating to reach the

How To Prevent Corrosion in Your Aircraft’s Engine, Airframe, and Systems Corrosion poses a significant threat not only to your engine but also to your airframe and various systems. While we briefly touched upon the issue (and its solution) of engine corrosion in another blog post, its importance warrants further discussion here. This section delves

The Essential Investment for Elevated Aircraft Operation and Situational Awareness: Avoiding Incidents and Enhancing Safety. We firmly believe that certain essential equipment can significantly improve aircraft operation and situational awareness. Every aircraft should be equipped with engine monitor units (EMUs) and GPS-coupled fuel totalisers. Additionally, when necessary for lean-of-peak (LOP) operation, tuned fuel injectors are

It’s Not Rocket Science: How to Achieve Your Aircraft Engine’s Time-Between Overhaul and Beyond. Many aircraft engines don’t achieve their stated time-between overhaul (TBO), necessitating premature teardowns—often well before the published benchmarks. TBO represents the manufacturer’s recommended number of running hours or the calendar duration before an aircraft engine or another component necessitates an overhaul.