PLT342: Controlling Engine Temperature
What code PLT342 covers, why the FAA tests it, and how to study Controlling Engine Temperature before your checkride.
Recall powerplant - controlling engine temperature
What this means for your checkride
Engine temperature is managed to prevent damage. Excessive cylinder head temperature comes from high power at low airspeed, a lean mixture, or too steep a climb. The pilot controls it with cowl flaps, airspeed for cooling airflow, a richer mixture, and reduced power. Oil also carries heat away from the engine.
Overheating shortens engine life and can cause failure, so the FAA tests the causes of high cylinder head and oil temperature and how to control them.
Pilots enrichen only for power. A richer mixture also cools; leaning aggressively in a hot climb can push cylinder head temperature into the damaging range.
Where to study it
A code on your test report is an area of deficiency. An authorized instructor must review it with you and endorse that review before you take the practical test, and the examiner may revisit it during the oral. Study it until you can explain it out loud, not just recognize the answer.