Eustace Bowhay has a vast amount of experience operating piston engines - he flew professionally for decades, and amassed tens of thousands of flying hours. He has learned a lot over the years, and occasionally offers his Pearls of Wisdom on the RV-List. I was recently reminded of this RV-List posting that he made back in 1999. The following recommendations for piston engine operation are posted with his permission. You can find more gems from Eustace Bowhay at the Van's Air Force - Western Canada Wing

From: "Eustace Bowhay"
Subject: Engines-Care and feeding of Lycomings
Date: Jan 19, 1999

After getting out of the air force in 1945 I became a part owner in a small charter and flying school operation and continued to be involved in commercial aviation until retirement. With the switch from the air force paying the bills to me paying them I really got interested in how my engines were being handled. It didn't take long to see the difference in costs between the engine that was carefully handled and one that was handled by an inexperienced pilot or hot rodder.

My priorities have always been safety first and costs second, and over the years it became very plain that the best and cheapest way to accomplish this was to start out with a new engine or a premium overhaul and don't cut corner's under the cowlings. After a few years finally settled on the following procedures and found them to do the best job.

I've decided to create a new section on this web site to capture some of the great flying advice that streams through some of the e-mail lists that I follow. I'll update the Pearls of Wisdom as I come across them.

There was an interesting series of messages about flight in icing conditions on the RV-List recently which has a few good lessons. The following messages are posted with the permission of the original authors.

Read on for more.