ENGINE OPS
This helps protect engine components and oil circulation after startup.
What is “letting the engine warm up before full power?
This overheats and wears components during taxi.
What is “riding the brakes?
This book has answers pilots should know before asking Steve.
What is “the POH?
This makes mechanics cry inside.
What is “slamming the doors?”
These help dissipate electrical charge.
What is “static wick?”
Rapid temperature changes during descent may contribute to cylinder stress.
What is “shock cooling?
Mechanics hate this because it increases stress on tires, brakes, and nose gear.
What is “taxiing too fast?
Pilots should know these because exceeding them can damage the aircraft.
What is “V-speeds?"
Nose gear damage often comes from pilots forgetting this.
What is “using the tow bar correctly?”
The engine keeps running because of these—even if the battery dies.
What is “magnetos?”
Pilots who don’t do this properly may foul spark plugs and waste fuel.
What is “leaning the mixture?
This can punish tires and brake systems.
What is “sharp turns with differential braking?
This simple habit prevents many expensive maintenance mistakes.
What is “use the checklist?
“It made a weird sound” is NOT this.
What is “reporting squawks accurately?”
This component charges the electrical system in flight.
What is “alternator?”
This gauge should rise shortly after engine start or you may be shutting down.
What is “oil pressure?
Pilots should verify this BEFORE takeoff, not while turning onto the runway.
What is “checking flight controls during taxi?
Ignoring this can negatively affect aircraft structure and performance.
What is “weight and balance?
This helps performance and aircraft condition.
What is “cleaning bugs off leading edges?”
Blocking this can create dangerous airspeed indications.
What is a “pitot tube?”
This common taxi mistake causes plug fouling.
What is “running the engine too rich on the ground?
This careless habit can damage other aircraft and equipment on the ramp.
What is “prop blast?
Just because something “still works” doesn’t mean this should be ignored.
What is “deferred maintenance?”
Airplanes actually dislike this almost as much as being abused.
What is “not flying often enough?”
This engine health check is commonly discussed during annuals.
What is “compressions?”