Flying in cold temperatures

[peter anson]

Yes, electrically operated would probably be easier to rig. I have the vertically split cowl so connecting a bowden cable would be tricky but making an electrical connection would be possible.

Peter

[BRS]

Yes, electrically operated would probably be easier to rig. I have the vertically split cowl so connecting a bowden cable would be tricky but making an electrical connection would be possible.

Peter

If you are flying an "A" model, there is plenty of space on the side of the cowl for a cowl-flap. Just, would want to make sure you could cruise with it fully closed to not affect yaw.

[OneTallShort]

My quick thought on the cowl flap location would be to mount it to the bottom of the firewall, rather than the cowling. That way, your actuator cable could remain attached to the airframe when you remove the cowling. Your frame might need to be a bit more robust to hold the bottom of the cowl to the cowl flap opening...but not substantially stronger. There isn't cowling support there in many installations, since the main air exit in that location (at least without the B side exits)

The issue might be routing of the cable as the rudder pedals are right there on the other side.

All that said, the weight of that AntiSpat electrical cowl flap may not be much more than a cable actuated one. Cables are heavy!

Gregg Short
Sonex 715
Burbank, OH

[Bryan Cotton]

My fixed inlet blockers are working pretty good. Today it was about 37 and I climbed to 6000' (5150' gain) and got to 213 on the oil temp at the top. Did a little acro and it was 180F heading home. Very light - flashing and tape. So although I think movable cowl flaps would be neat, I am not sure I could justify the weight penalty based on my experience.

[bvolcko38]

Beware of adding something that can fail. I added a cowl flap to my Xenos cowling, electric linear actuator. A diode in the actuator limit switch failed and caused a short which blew a fuse. Luckily this happened on the ground. FYI

[Bryan Cotton]

Bill,
I'm with you on this one. That's what I like about my fixed solution.

What do you guys do for fogging? Not a problem in flight but on the ground it's a pain.