The First Rule of Maintaining Your Airplane

Cutting open your oil filter can reveal problems early and prevent surprises during your next inspection.

Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 02:06 PM ET

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Oil is the lifeblood of your airplane's engine, and the oil filter is like the liver—it removes the impurities. [Courtesy: Richard Scarbrough]

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft oil filters are crucial for engine health, acting like a "liver" to remove impurities from the engine's oil, offering superior filtration compared to basic oil screens.
Leading manufacturers like Champion and Tempest Aero Group provide various filters, with Tempest offering innovative products like the Spin EZ filter and conversion kits to upgrade older aircraft from screens.
Frequent oil and filter changes (every 25-50 hours) are essential for routine maintenance to prevent contamination.
Inspecting cut-open oil filters for metal particles (e.g., bright aluminum, black steel) is a critical diagnostic step that can indicate potential engine damage and requires professional consultation if significant amounts are found.

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Do you know the most essential part of your aircraft? Some may say the engine. While that is partially true, it is like the human body, core exercise routines, and family marathon monopoly games. You get out of it what you put into it.

Recently I briefed you on aircraft engine oil, and now it is time to round out the rest of the items needed to facilitate a proper aircraft oil change. Time to grab a filter.