Re: leaning below 5000

Jose wrote:
> There was a discussion in my club about leaning the engine (of our
> cherokees) below 5000 feet in cruise. This was prompted by the
> observation in the manual that the engine should be leaned above 5000
> feet at all times in cruise, and below 5000 feet at the pilot's
> discrescion. So, how should the pilot discrede? The old timers seemed
> to agree that:


Generally speaking, I don't bother leaning if I'm staying at 2500 feet or lower.
At any altitude above, I will lean in cruise. The proof of inadequate leaning
is when you do your mag check during your runup... if it starts stumbling, it
wasn't leaned adequately. Since I'm reluctant to do mag checks at altitude,
this basically is a check of the aircraft's recent history rather than its
present condition.

For simple aircraft without reliable fuel management instrumentation, I
basically lean until the engine stumbles, then add gas to smooth it back out.
It seems to work.... nobody has ever complained that I was burning pistons or
exhaust valves. I'm pretty sure the neext guy to fly it doesn't have loaded
plugs from my flight.


--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

mschnerd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx





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