The Art of the Airplane Warmup

Do it wrong, and you could be looking at an expensive repair bill or excessive wear and tear on the engine.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 11:45 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

Cold temperatures cause aircraft oil to congeal and sap battery strength, which can lead to overworking and potential damage of the starter and engine.[Credit: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

Cold weather poses significant risks to aircraft engines, including congealed oil, reduced battery strength, and metal contraction, which can cause excessive wear, damage, or starting failure.
To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to use temperature-appropriate oil and preheat the engine before starting, particularly when temperatures drop below specified thresholds (e.g., +10°F).
Various engine preheating methods exist, from purpose-built installed or portable units to DIY solutions, all designed to warm the engine to a safe operating temperature.
Pilots must always follow their aircraft's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) or Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for specific cold weather procedures, including proper preheat duration, avoiding over-cranking, and ensuring sufficient warm-up before flight.

See a mistake? Contact us.

One of the biggest challenges of winter flying is starting the engine. Do it wrong, and you could be looking at an expensive repair bill, or at the very least, excessive wear and tear on the engine.

Cold temperatures cause oil to congeal and sap battery strength, which can lead to overworking and potential damage of the starter and engine. For this reason, many aircraft manuals, pilot’s operating handbooks (POHs), and engine manufacturers advocate specialized cold weather starting techniques, which include preheating the engine and making sure the aircraft is using temperature appropriate oil.