The One Simple Trick to a Longer Piston Engine Aircraft Life
By on Aug 27th 2021
Piston engines, typically used at altitudes below 15,000 feet and in ranges of 300-400 miles have one or more piston-powered engines to provide thrust.
When cared for properly, piston engine aircraft offer years of reliability, as well as safety, for both the pilot and passengers.
While turbine engines are highly regulated, the same does not go for piston engines. Maintenance standards and ways to achieve longevity differ; however, one of the easiest and most effective ways of caring for a piston engine aircraft is by flying it frequently.
A piston engine wears slower when being flown more.
The reasoning is because the engine is highly susceptible to rust, and having it sit for too long is detrimental. It's suggested to fly piston engine aircraft at least one hour a week.
However, we know that not everyone has the access, time, or funds to continuously fly their plane, and there is a solution. Phillips 66 Anti-Rust Aviation Engine Oil 20w-50 is a specially formulated rust and corrosion preventive oil for aircraft piston engines to help protect against rust and corrosion during extended periods of inactivity.
It is not designed to be an everyday engine oil in aircraft flown frequently, so if you plan on storing your plane, it's the perfect solution to maintaining your piston engine life.
When preparing an aircraft for storage, drain the used engine oil and refill with Aviation Anti-Rust Oil. Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature to ensure that the new oil is fully circulated throughout the engine and allowed to coat all engine parts.
For best results, fly the aircraft prior to storage. Covering exhaust and intake ports is recommended to minimize exposure to moisture during storage.
