There is an old joke that copper wire was invented when two pilots found the same penny. Pilots are a notoriously frugal bunch, and as such, we are always on the lookout for ways to cut the cost of flying. Yet ironically, many pilots do not take advantage of leaning the mixture as a means to increase their fuel economy.
Student pilots are taught the definition of “leaning the mixture,” but sometimes they are not taught the practical application of it. This may be, in part, because aircraft are often rented “wet,” which means the renter pilot doesn’t have to pay extra for the fuel. When the cost of fuel comes out of your pocket, most people develop a vested interest in making that fuel supply go for longer.
