null
The One Simple Trick to a Longer Piston Engine Aircraft Life

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.

Shop Aviation Oil Outlet offering leading brands AeroShell, Phillips 66, Mobil, and BlueSky.


You might also be interested in:


Can You Make Your Own Colored Smoke Oil? What Pilots and RC Hobbyists Should Know
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Jun 24th 2026

Colored smoke trails can add a dramatic visual element to airshows, aerobatic displays, skywriting,
aerobatic smoke oil
Lycoming LW-16702 Additive: What It Does, Who Needs It, and Which Oil to Buy
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Jun 19th 2026

If you own or maintain a Lycoming-powered aircraft, you may have seen references to Lycoming LW-1
Aeroshell Oil W 15W-50
The Aircraft Engine Break-In Blueprint: Straight Mineral Oil vs. Ashless Dispersant
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Jun 5th 2026

Aviation Lubricant Technical Guide The Aircraft Engine Break-In Blueprint: Straight Mineral Oil vs.
aeroshell 100 vs w100