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Cowl flaps during commercial maneuvers

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Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor

How do you teach the use of cowl flaps during commercial maneuvers in something like a 182?

Would it be reasonable to simplify everything for the student and always allow them to leave cowl flaps open or closed?

Or would you require them to close cowl flaps for steep spirals, and open them from chandelles?  Any preference for lazy 8's and 8's on pylons?

My preference would be to simplify and have them closed the whole time since there are not prolonged low or high power settings, and closed would be consistent with where a cruise checklist would leave them configured.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Dan

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1 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Apr 07, 2016

    Given the purpose of cowl flaps, you make a good point about whether they are needed. But if you are looking at the question from a “need” standpoint, doesn’t that itself go against your desire to simplify?

    I can easily see doing a chandelle in a 182 in the winter in North Dakota with cowl flaps closed throughout. Even better, I get to show off my systems knowledge (a commercial task) to the Examiner by saying, “It’s cold outside and engine temps are cool, so I am not going to worry about opening the cowl flaps.”

    I can just as easily see the exact opposite on a warm summer day in Florida.

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