A CLEAN AIRPLANE IS A H A P PY A I R P L A N E . I 'd rather be flying my airplane than cleaning it. Most of the time, a quick rinse and wipe down is about as much as my airplane can expect from me. There is a huge hidden benefit to the occasional thorough washing, and that is spotting squawks you may not notice during your routine preflights. While towel drying the airplane you'll notice missing screws, loose nuts, cracked aluminum skin, and more that is easily remedied now but could turn into a major issue if left unfixed. "Engine heat. I've got a plug-in Tanis heating system that warms the engine block and cylinders as well as the oil sump. I also cover the cowl with a thick blanket and install cowl plugs to keep the warmth from the heater inside the engine compartment. Even on the coldest winter days, it keeps the entire engine compartment warm and reduces wear on startup." -Dave Hirschman, editor at large REGULAR OIL CHANGES ARE THE CHEAPEST INSURANCE TO PROTECT YOUR ENGINE. Engines with an oil filter should have their oil and filter changed every 50 hours (or as prescribed in your POH or maintenance manual). Engines with only an oil screen (such as my Cessna 140) require an oil change and screen cleaning every 25 hours. If you fly less frequently, the oil should be changed annually regardless of how many hours are put on the engine. This is more to retain the oil's ability to scavenge unwanted combustion deposits than it is to maintain the oil's lubricating qualities. Although many owners like to send an oil sample out for analysis with each oil change, an annual analysis is likely sufficient for most owner-flown aircraft. aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 79http://www.aopa.org/pilot