What is the purpose of cowl flaps?

[aussiewannabe]

Okay, I know I can google this, but I'd rather deal with professionals on this site.

What is the purpose of cowl flaps? I've seen them on the Baron 58, Cessna 172 (I think), and definitely the Howard 500 (which can be positioned from 0% to 100%)

[Brett_Henderson]

None on the 172...

They're just vents that allow more air to flow through the engine area.

You want them open for taxi, take-off and climb... and closed during cruise, descent and landing. Of all the planes with them, that I've flown for real (177RG, 182, 206, Mooney, Seneca) it's always 100% open, or closed completely.

[aussiewannabe]

That was quick!

Thanks for the explanation.

[Ashton Lawson]

oh great...

now i know their purpose, so ill be needing a new axis on my joystick!!!

lol, dont have to, but thats a good explanation anyway.

[Brett_Henderson]

Most VCs have mouseable cowel flap levers.. and they're also on the pop-up panels, like the Baron's throttle quadrant..


OR....

Ctrl+Shift+V opens them   ...   Ctrl+Shift+C close them

[Ashton Lawson]

okay then.  ill just have to assign those to some throttle buttons (X45 joystick and throttle, and thinking about getting the X52Pro).

[macca22au]

You keep them open in climb, but once in cruise they are closed.  This is for temperature management, but just as importantly for reducing drag which costs speed and fuel.