Winter is well underway, but that’s not keeping pilots from taking to the skies. Whether you’re planning a scenic winter flight or gearing up for early spring flying, ensuring your aircraft engine is properly preheated is an important step before any cold-weather flight.
Aircraft Engine Preheating Benefits
Properly preheating your engine is about more than just warming the oil. A multi-point preheating system ensures the entire engine reaches optimal temperature, providing key benefits:
- Prevent Premature Engine Wear: Just one cold start can produce more wear on your aircraft engine in less than a minute than 500 hours of normal cruise operation. Proper preheating ensures oil flows easily and allows internal engine components to reach normal operating temperatures at the same time for smoother starts.
- Reduce Run-Up Time: When your aircraft engine is thoroughly heat-soaked, you can expect more efficient run-up times and less fuel burned on the ground. Spend less time warming up your plane and more time flying it!
- Enhance Safety: Takeoff is one of the most demanding phases of flight for aircraft engines. If your engine is cold-soaked, stress on internal components could result in poor performance or even catastrophic failure. Don’t risk it — ensure your entire engine is warmed up and ready to go.
When Should You Preheat?
Always consult your aircraft and engine manufacturer’s guidelines for cold-weather operations. Generally speaking, it’s advisable to preheat when:
- Temperatures drop below or near freezing (32°F/0°C)
- Your aircraft has had prolonged exposure to cold temperatures (e.g., cold-soaked in an unheated hangar)
- Many pilots choose to preheat when temperatures are below 50°F/10°C to reduce engine stress and reduce run-up times. (Tanis preheat systems can be used continuously at ambient temperatures below 100°F/38°C)
Hartzell Aircraft Preheat Solutions
Hartzell Propeller offers aircraft engine preheating options from both Tanis Aircraft Products and Reiff Preheat Systems.
- Tanis Aircraft Products’ multi-point preheat systems supply heat via threaded elements at the top of each cylinder and silicone pad elements placed on the oil sump and engine case. This ensures uniform heat distribution throughout the entire engine.
- Reiff Preheat Systems provides modular and easy-to-install preheat options for piston aircraft engines. These systems supply heat via band heat elements installed around the base of each cylinder, ensuring consistent heat distribution. Aluminum block elements are mounted on the oil sump. External ground wire allows the engine and airframe to be grounded to the electrical outlet for safety.
Both brands are compatible with a range of piston aircraft engines. Tanis also offers solutions for rotorcraft (helicopter) and turbine engine applications.
Hartzell also offers a complete line of propeller de-ice and ice protection systems for our propellers that are extensively tested, FAA-certified, and feature superior warranty coverage.
Stay Ready for Winter Flights
Don’t let the cold keep you grounded — with the right engine preheat system, there’s no stopping you from embracing the chill and flying with confidence.
To request more information about Hartzell’s selection of preheating systems, please contact us today.
