Managing CHTs

Monday, September 20, 2021 at 10:22 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Monitoring Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) is crucial for piston engine health and preventing damage, as high CHT indicates excessive internal stress on components.
Pilots manage CHT through various interventions, including adjusting cowl flaps, enriching the fuel mixture for cooling, operating lean-of-peak for reduced CHTs, and controlling airspeed.
Modern multi-probe engine monitors are essential for real-time CHT (and EGT) data, enabling pilots to make timely adjustments and adhere to manufacturer operating limits to ensure engine longevity.

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After 20 years as a flight instructor, I’ve observed that too many general aviation pilots do not monitor nor understand the significance of maintaining cylinder head temperature (CHT) within the proper operating range. Thanks to aircraft system ignorance, failure to maintain engine situational awareness, laziness, apathy or combinations thereof, many pilots are remiss at monitoring CHT, an essential engine parameter. Why should pilots be concerned about maintaining CHT within the proper operating range?

In his book Proficient Pilot (Vol. 2), Captain Barry Schiff states: “Heat is one nemesis of a piston engine airplane. Its cumulative effects can lead to piston, ring and cylinder head failure, as well as placing thermal stress on other engine components.” Abnormally high CHTs in normal operation weaken the aluminum alloy from which cylinder heads are manufactured. High CHTs over protracted periods can result in serious engine damage and failure.