As the winter season begins, it’s important to know how to preheat your plane. But first, you might ask, when should one preheat their airplane? Most experts say when the temperature hits below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it's usually a good idea to preheat. But, if the temperature drops below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, you should definitely preheat. Preheating is essential to maintaining your aircraft, especially considering the parts for aircraft are very expensive— it is best to prevent unnecessary damage and fatigue. Airplane maintenance professionals say starting up a cold aircraft engine without preheating can cause up to 500 hours of wear on the piston.
The first option is to preheat through a forced air preheater. These are convenient and usually powered by some type of fast-heating fuel. However, there are a few downsides to this method. The forced air will not evenly heat up the ending which can result in the different temperatures throughout the airplane. This is potentially problematic because it may cause some parts to contract more than others and lead to more wear.
The second technique is to use an electric heater. This is the generally better option, but it must be installed onto the aircraft. The heating process begins once it is plugged into an outlet. It usually takes six hours to reach “thermal equilibrium” which is the when the engine is heated evenly all throughout.
The last and best method is at a heating hangar. This is an excellent method of preheating because the entire aircraft heats up to the same temperature, including the seats and oil, all at once! This method takes the longest at around 8 -12 hours, but it is the best method around. The only downside is they are not always available, but if you are able to get to one with a space availability, it is your best option.
Sourcing Streamlined, owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, should always be your first and only stop for all your hard to find aircraft heaters. Sourcing Streamlined is the premier supplier of forced air preheaters, electric heaters, and more! Whether new or obsolete, we can help you find all the parts you need, 24/7x365. If you’re interested in a quote, email us at sales@sourcingstreamlined.com or call us at +1-714-705-4780.
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