Mixture Leaning

Ronnie Godfrey said:
As a new owner, I’ve been doing a lot of research on leaning. I’ve watched the Savvy Avation video about it and he basically says the only times for full rich are start up and takeoff, which I pretty well adhere to with one big exception. I’ve always been taught to go full rich on approach just in case there’s a go-around, which makes sense to me. The Savvy video doesn’t address it.

So, what are your thoughts on leaning (or not) when on approach? FWIW, I have an 0-320 behind a fixed pitch prop.
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I also only set full rich for starting and takeoff (low density altitude). As I start the initial climb I start leaning to climb ROP. When I level off I lean for LOP (utilizing the BMP). When I descend for landing I gradually enrichen staying LOP and land. I then lean aggressively to my normal ground setting. If I need to go around my hand is right there to push all the levers forward as needed.

I think the mixture full rich props full forward mentality is A) from the 50's-60's mindset and B) for the litigious folks, not what's best for the longevity of your expensive engines.

*Disclaimer: my $0.02 about how I operate. Do what you feel is best for you.
 
Lots of good advice here. Thanks for all the input! Generally our density altitudes are low here, so running rich on approach probably makes sense 90 percent of the time. On hot summer days we can get density altitudes of 2000+ and it might be prudent to revisit that thinking in those situations.
 
Ronnie Godfrey said:
As a new owner, I’ve been doing a lot of research on leaning. I’ve watched the Savvy Avation video about it and he basically says the only times for full rich are start up and takeoff, which I pretty well adhere to with one big exception. I’ve always been taught to go full rich on approach just in case there’s a go-around, which makes sense to me. The Savvy video doesn’t address it.

So, what are your thoughts on leaning (or not) when on approach? FWIW, I have an 0-320 behind a fixed pitch prop.
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Ronnie,
Welcome to ownership. May I suggest that you go to the Advanced Pilot Seminars website and download their PowerPoint for Target EGT. I am a proponent of extreme leaning ie. I aggressively lean at engine start and add just enough enrichment to allow an engine run up (don’t worry - you cannot takeoff that lean) then full rich for takeoff but I then lean to my normal takeoff (sea level) EGT right after takeoff (as soon as the EGT starts dropping) so my EGT and CHT’s stay very close to the same for the entire flight. I use that EGT at any altitude airport. Once you get the “feel” for your engine when it runs at a more correct mixture you will enjoy lower fuel and maintenance costs.
Let the naysayers come forth. The last two owners of my plane used the same technique and my pre-buy report was the engine looked so clean that it needed to be run harder. I said it has spent its life at WOT LOP.

Now to your original question....leave your mixture set at your cruise setting all the way to the ground. IF you have to do a go around just simply add a little mixture and you will be fine. Go arounds are not an emergency procedure.
 
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Remember clueless flat-lander Harry who learned a DA lesson from a stranger on the other side of the country?
Who says the FAA doesn't have a sense of humor? :)
 
Back in the day, by virtue of living close to the BJC GADO, I had to pick up those movies to show at the MM Flying Club meeting.
 
flyingron said:
Back in the day, by virtue of living close to the BJC GADO, I had to pick up those movies to show at the MM Flying Club meeting.
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Man, I forgot they even had one up there. Haha. That’s before my time even. :)
 
I left Denver in 1982. Took my written test there as well. It was in the building that now houses McAir.
 
flyingron said:
I left Denver in 1982. Took my written test there as well. It was in the building that now houses McAir.
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McAir still has the test center running. Took my PPL and CPL writtens there. They put up a new tower on the other side of the airport and tore down the old one. I really wished they left the old one up and made it a CFI lounge or something :).
 
It wasn't a "testing center." It was the FAA office themselves. This is long before they abdicated responsibility for the writtens.
 
flyingron said:
I left Denver in 1982. Took my written test there as well. It was in the building that now houses McAir.
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Interesting. The first business iteration of McAir was already in that building when I started flying.

They’re apparently associated with some sort of Aviation college now, too. Saw a post on FB about it this week. Degree program and I assume McAir is doing their part of it 141.

I couldn’t afford them in the 90s. I doubt I could today either. Heh. I rented beaters over at what’s now KEIK.

Some of the rental places were quite sketchy back then. Was always broke back then, so I shopped on price. Learned that wasn’t necessarily a good idea with airplanes. But survived it.
 
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