I was taught it this way by my instructor. Leaning it slowly until you hear the engine power slightly decrease and then push it back 1cm. The first time I did it I sure was mentally preparing for the engine to quit! An important thing also is to have this item as a part of your pre-descent checklist so you don’t forget to push it back to Rich before landing. Thank you for your videos!
Once you have your own airplane, and start paying for fuel directly, you quickly learn where the mixture control is.... You also learn where to find the cheapest fuel and make that your destination. 14/14
Great info! Did my Private Pilot training in Prescott, AZ and from day 1 we HAD to lean for takeoff. That airports at 5,200 ft. We started the C172 with Mixture about 1 inch out from full.
14/14. Awesome episode! Being a student pilot, every time I lean out the mixture there is still a little pucker factor that accompanies it, but with each time it becomes a little more natural.
Hey Jason, 14 for 14 yes in my early days I was scared of the red knob just like you and now having EDM 830 I love it. Thanks for the videos. They are all so informative. I have a blast watching them every day and learning so much.
I don't do it very often as I wasn't sure when I was supposed to lean the mixture. This video was really helpful. This week where I live we have had highs of +30°c (86°f) thankfully near sea level as I had never thought about leaning for takeoff.
I use a JPI EDM-730 and for best power in my Piper Dakota it is about 50 degrees ROP. Best economy is 20-50 degrees LOP. I agree... if you do not have the instrumentation, I avoid LOP operations. "Poor man's" ROP I do what you do.... Lean it out until the engine RPM drops slightly or goes slightly rough, then will enrichen the mixture a bit past the point it smooths back out and yields greatest RPM - staying on ROP side. Great video.
Sorry to say I'm 1/14 but now going back to watch all the episodes Jason. You make this soo interesting and I still need to finish getting my Part 107 for UAV. Love my DJI Air 2S and Mini 3 Pro and would really like to be ableto legally post some videos on UA-cam once I get the Part 107 completed. Thank you for all you do Jason!
👍 14 for 14. Came to my flight training with A&P training many years back, also a professional performance engine builder and tuner. Manual control over fuel mixture is quite antiquated in todays electronic world but also welcome, having full control over that critical aspect of the engines performance.
I agree that leaning is important for the health of the engine, but have to disagree that rich of peak is best. Plenty of opposing viewpoints as to the benefits of flying lean of peak. The type of engine and the engine monitoring capabilities play into the decision. Both rich and lean of peak are safe and effective under the right circumstances. The knowledge of the pilot about when and how to use them is the key.
14 for 14. I learned to lean the engine old-school, lean until the engine stumbles then rich until it runs smoothly. As learned on a cross-country training flight, "climb to 5500 and I'll show you how to lean the engine". The plane I fly now has an engine monitor so I can lean by EGT and dial it in precisely. Its O-320 objects to lean-of-peak operation, so I don't: lean in cruise, full rich for takeoff and climb up to 7000, lean for peak power above that.
14 for 14. My best ever. In a high-humidity environment with temps that lead to high density altitude, our A&P trained us to lean before a long taxi to prevent fouling the plugs. I’m guessing you’ll get to clearing fouled plugs sometime over the next 17 episodes.
Caught up with all 14/14 and looking forward for more. This topic truly helps a lot. I was also the one who freaks out to touch the red knob. But after watching this video, I’m will be trying leaning the mixture in flight based on the proper density altitude. Thank you Jason for Really saving a life 🙏
14 for 14 from Hungary🇭🇺 I’ve never ever used the red lever for anything other than stopping the engine - mainly because I haven’t even flown an airplane which has the necessary gauges to be able to effectively lean for performance, also our small country doesn’t really necessitate the usage of the option as we don’t have high mountains or long distances, not to mention the SOP of the ATO I’m renting aircraft from has specifically stated in their SOP not to lean in any circumstances.
14 for 14. When flying the club 172 I would lean if at a higher altitude. I was never afraid of using it. However today I fly behind a Rotax 912ULS in my RV-12 which has auto mixture and no mixture lever.
14 for 14! Not long after I got my PPL, I took my brother-in-law on a lunch flight. We cruised up to the lunch at a relatively low altitude so he could enjoy the sights, but on the way back I was at 6500 ft. I was explaining to him how I lean the mixture at higher altitudes. Unfortunately, this plane didn't have the "twist" feature on the mixture knob, so I was pulling the handle slowly. As I was pulling the knob, the handle had a slight "catch" and didn't move, so I exerted a little more effort on the handle, then it "gave" and the handle popped out about an inch or so. The engine immediately coughed, and I shoved the mixture back in. Of course, power came back immediately. It didn't scare me, and I kind of chuckled it off. But the incident spooked my brother-in-law so much that he didn't speak for the rest of the flight.
The way I learned it for cruise was to lean it out until you get a decrease in RPM, enrichen it to find peak again, and then enrichen it one turn past peak.
14 for 14! I did my PPL training in a light sport aircraft, so I never had to deal with mixture (or VORs) until after getting my PPL and doing a checkout in a C172. I was afraid of it at first, but played around with it. Your video was very informative, filling in a few gaps here and there.
14/14 ! Yes, I too was afraid of the "red" knob because it's red and some of us first interpret the red color meaning warning: be very careful! Thankfully, my instructor explained how to use the lean mixture on my aircraft referencing from the POH and just like how you explained the fuel to air ratio for best performance in this video. When you understand something more, the less you become uncertain and fearful of the worst and the more confidence you gain on how you can control the result or outcome you want.
Very helpful and informative. I’m at the point in my training where I have no clue how to use the red knob. My only complaint if your description of 59 degrees as really cold. I’m in Chicago and at that altitude today it’s probably about 20. :-)
14/14 - I fly out of U42 so leaning for takeoff is in our SOPs. In the summer, the density altitude can be in the 7,000 range and you get nearly 100 rpm when you lean during runup.
Hi Jason, great video! Two questions: -why would you lean for cruise flight only above some altitude? would leaning not save fuel even at say 2000 feet? I am asking because where I live, we rarely get above 3000 feet … -my second question is when exactly you would pull the red handle when taxiing, and when you push it back in.
14 for 14; I need to get with an instructor to figure out the proper leaning of my 172. Unfortunately I have static gauges and I never detect the RPM drop while leaning in flight, and that is with the knob sufficiently out. Any suggestions on a better way to perform this operation with statics? Thanks
Disagree wholeheartedly about rich of peak being superior to lean of peak. That said, most trainers are not properly instrumented, and you also often need fuel injection (again, not common on trainers) to utilize. But it saves me 2-3 gph on my aircraft for a minimal speed penalty (25% fuel savings for 5-8% less speed). That’s significant to me as an owner.
14 for 14: The only people who make me nervous when they mess with the mixture knob are those pilots who grab the red knob, push in the grey button, and pull back aggressively and make bold changes to the mixture. That's too much confidence in their ability.....hahaha
Good lesson: it would be better to have modern engine sensor management displayed. With steam gauges what was the indicators; * RPM, temperature and listening to the engine? ⛽🕓🌡️
14 of 14 here. The color is draining from Mike Busch’s face now, given his advocacy of LOP operations 😅. These are excellent videos Jason. I am learning so much from them. Looking forward to tomorrow’s episode.
![[UA] Eternal Fire проти NAVI | EPL Season 20 Malta](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/chvlsDygrZM/mqdefault.jpg)
I was taught it this way by my instructor. Leaning it slowly until you hear the engine power slightly decrease and then push it back 1cm. The first time I did it I sure was mentally preparing for the engine to quit! An important thing also is to have this item as a part of your pre-descent checklist so you don’t forget to push it back to Rich before landing.
Thank you for your videos!
Once you have your own airplane, and start paying for fuel directly, you quickly learn where the mixture control is.... You also learn where to find the cheapest fuel and make that your destination. 14/14
Amen to that!
Great info! Did my Private Pilot training in Prescott, AZ and from day 1 we HAD to lean for takeoff. That airports at 5,200 ft. We started the C172 with Mixture about 1 inch out from full.
It's also a good idea to lean while taxing to prevent plug fouling...
14 of 14. Not enough hours in, haven't touched that knob yet, at least while in the air. That is the plane go to sleep lever....hahaha
14/14. Awesome episode! Being a student pilot, every time I lean out the mixture there is still a little pucker factor that accompanies it, but with each time it becomes a little more natural.
14 of 14. Yes I was afraid of leaning the engine. My instructor has helped me and now I lean once I’m above 4,000.
14/14 - Recently updated JPI 700 to 730 and with this new instrument- dialing in ROP every cruise flight! Good video, good information! Thanks!
Hey Jason, 14 for 14 yes in my early days I was scared of the red knob just like you and now having EDM 830 I love it. Thanks for the videos. They are all so informative. I have a blast watching them every day and learning so much.
14 for 14. Can’t wait for In Flight Coffee today!
14 of 14 Hanging in there! Thanks again.
I don't do it very often as I wasn't sure when I was supposed to lean the mixture. This video was really helpful.
This week where I live we have had highs of +30°c (86°f) thankfully near sea level as I had never thought about leaning for takeoff.
I use a JPI EDM-730 and for best power in my Piper Dakota it is about 50 degrees ROP. Best economy is 20-50 degrees LOP. I agree... if you do not have the instrumentation, I avoid LOP operations. "Poor man's" ROP I do what you do.... Lean it out until the engine RPM drops slightly or goes slightly rough, then will enrichen the mixture a bit past the point it smooths back out and yields greatest RPM - staying on ROP side. Great video.
14 for 14 in 2023! Thanks for the great demonstration of “rich of peak” and teaching us why and when it’s important.
Sorry to say I'm 1/14 but now going back to watch all the episodes Jason. You make this soo interesting and I still need to finish getting my Part 107 for UAV. Love my DJI Air 2S and Mini 3 Pro and would really like to be ableto legally post some videos on UA-cam once I get the Part 107 completed. Thank you for all you do Jason!
👍 14 for 14. Came to my flight training with A&P training many years back, also a professional performance engine builder and tuner. Manual control over fuel mixture is quite antiquated in todays electronic world but also welcome, having full control over that critical aspect of the engines performance.
14/14 enjoying my daily pilot challenge with my cheerios & mixed fruit. Thank you.
14 for 14 Great content and right amount of time on each. Thanks
14 for 14, thank you for this video! I was taught to lean during flight training, and do it regularly. Nice to re-visit this topic!
Great tutorial on something that is usually glossed over by both instructors and checklists. Thanks KAPF
I agree that leaning is important for the health of the engine, but have to disagree that rich of peak is best. Plenty of opposing viewpoints as to the benefits of flying lean of peak. The type of engine and the engine monitoring capabilities play into the decision. Both rich and lean of peak are safe and effective under the right circumstances. The knowledge of the pilot about when and how to use them is the key.
14/14 Love all the videos. Amazing information! Can't wait to start my journey. Thanks Jason!
14/14 - I haven’t been above 3,000 MSL for so long I’ve somewhat forgotten this technique/ thanks for the reminder!
14 for 14.
I learned to lean the engine old-school, lean until the engine stumbles then rich until it runs smoothly. As learned on a cross-country training flight, "climb to 5500 and I'll show you how to lean the engine". The plane I fly now has an engine monitor so I can lean by EGT and dial it in precisely. Its O-320 objects to lean-of-peak operation, so I don't: lean in cruise, full rich for takeoff and climb up to 7000, lean for peak power above that.
14 for 14. My best ever. In a high-humidity environment with temps that lead to high density altitude, our A&P trained us to lean before a long taxi to prevent fouling the plugs. I’m guessing you’ll get to clearing fouled plugs sometime over the next 17 episodes.
Caught up with all 14/14 and looking forward for more. This topic truly helps a lot. I was also the one who freaks out to touch the red knob. But after watching this video, I’m will be trying leaning the mixture in flight based on the proper density altitude. Thank you Jason for Really saving a life 🙏
14 for 14 from Hungary🇭🇺
I’ve never ever used the red lever for anything other than stopping the engine - mainly because I haven’t even flown an airplane which has the necessary gauges to be able to effectively lean for performance, also our small country doesn’t really necessitate the usage of the option as we don’t have high mountains or long distances, not to mention the SOP of the ATO I’m renting aircraft from has specifically stated in their SOP not to lean in any circumstances.
14/14 such a great journey of learning
14/14. Great stuff as always, Sir.
Hi From Moldova
And from Santa Rosa. FL
14 for 14. When flying the club 172 I would lean if at a higher altitude. I was never afraid of using it. However today I fly behind a Rotax 912ULS in my RV-12 which has auto mixture and no mixture lever.
14 for 14!
Not long after I got my PPL, I took my brother-in-law on a lunch flight. We cruised up to the lunch at a relatively low altitude so he could enjoy the sights, but on the way back I was at 6500 ft. I was explaining to him how I lean the mixture at higher altitudes. Unfortunately, this plane didn't have the "twist" feature on the mixture knob, so I was pulling the handle slowly. As I was pulling the knob, the handle had a slight "catch" and didn't move, so I exerted a little more effort on the handle, then it "gave" and the handle popped out about an inch or so. The engine immediately coughed, and I shoved the mixture back in. Of course, power came back immediately.
It didn't scare me, and I kind of chuckled it off. But the incident spooked my brother-in-law so much that he didn't speak for the rest of the flight.
The way I learned it for cruise was to lean it out until you get a decrease in RPM, enrichen it to find peak again, and then enrichen it one turn past peak.
14/14 32 hours into my PPL your videos are a huge help!
14/14! And In flight coffee today! ☕️
14 for 14! I did my PPL training in a light sport aircraft, so I never had to deal with mixture (or VORs) until after getting my PPL and doing a checkout in a C172. I was afraid of it at first, but played around with it. Your video was very informative, filling in a few gaps here and there.
I'm 14/14. Thank you for the clear explanation Jason.
14/14 ! Yes, I too was afraid of the "red" knob because it's red and some of us first interpret the red color meaning warning: be very careful! Thankfully, my instructor explained how to use the lean mixture on my aircraft referencing from the POH and just like how you explained the fuel to air ratio for best performance in this video. When you understand something more, the less you become uncertain and fearful of the worst and the more confidence you gain on how you can control the result or outcome you want.
Important as all your presentations! I lean over 3000 ft.
14 of 14. Just studied this in ground school. Really good demonstration. Thanks!
14 for 14. Thanks for the lesson.
Very helpful and informative. I’m at the point in my training where I have no clue how to use the red knob. My only complaint if your description of 59 degrees as really cold. I’m in Chicago and at that altitude today it’s probably about 20. :-)
Am 14/14! Love the sessions
14/14. I was a scaredy cat but not anymore! Thanks Jason and team!
14 for 14 That was good info thank you
My instructor would love this....
14/14 - I fly out of U42 so leaning for takeoff is in our SOPs. In the summer, the density altitude can be in the 7,000 range and you get nearly 100 rpm when you lean during runup.
Great video!
GAMI Has some great videos on running LOP. Worth checking out .
14 for 14! Great video. Thanks.
14414.. thanks Jason 💯
14/14. Great video!
14/14. In training we rarely exceed 3000 feet. I've used the mixture knob in the simulator though, just to get the hang of it.
I wondered how that worked. Thanks. I can never get that to work in Flight Simulator, and I always shut down the engine!
Hi Jason, great video! Two questions:
-why would you lean for cruise flight only above some altitude? would leaning not save fuel even at say 2000 feet? I am asking because where I live, we rarely get above 3000 feet …
-my second question is when exactly you would pull the red handle when taxiing, and when you push it back in.
14-14 still on track! Jody Spann
You the best
14 of 14!
14/14 I’ve learned to lean once above 3000’ having the JPI engine monitor really helps
Love the video
14/14. Good info.
14/14 great stuff🎉
ME !!! mixture knob and 14 for 14
14 out of 14!
The POH is your best friend here.
14 for 14; I need to get with an instructor to figure out the proper leaning of my 172. Unfortunately I have static gauges and I never detect the RPM drop while leaning in flight, and that is with the knob sufficiently out. Any suggestions on a better way to perform this operation with statics? Thanks
14 for 14!!
Jason, what engine do you have in that airplane? Fuel injected?
😂🤣😂🤣 I touch it twice! Once when starting and once when shutting down!
14 of 14
14 for 14!!!
You didn’t lean enough to stall the engine ? were you scared that it want start up ?
Yes I am 14 for 14. How many years have you done this?
14 fer 14!
Disagree wholeheartedly about rich of peak being superior to lean of peak. That said, most trainers are not properly instrumented, and you also often need fuel injection (again, not common on trainers) to utilize. But it saves me 2-3 gph on my aircraft for a minimal speed penalty (25% fuel savings for 5-8% less speed). That’s significant to me as an owner.
14 for 14!
14/14 👍
14 out of 14
14 for 14!!!!!!!
I definitely had red knob phobia.
15deg C is a t-shirt weather in Canada lol
14 for 14: The only people who make me nervous when they mess with the mixture knob are those pilots who grab the red knob, push in the grey button, and pull back aggressively and make bold changes to the mixture. That's too much confidence in their ability.....hahaha
14 for 14. And I lean on each flight, during taxi and during flight.
14/14
Can't wait to get back in the air! 14/14. 🙂
14/14. I got scared to touch the mixture by accidentally killing my engine at altitude once...
I am 14 for 14.
14 for 14
You are instapteble
14 for 14. Saving fuel & engines one turn at a time
14/14.
14 4 14- you don’t know what chilly is - try iowa
14/14!
Not sure what this has to do with safety. This is really basic stuff. Tomorrow we'll learn how to clean the windshield.
Good lesson: it would be better to have modern engine sensor management displayed. With steam gauges what was the indicators;
* RPM, temperature and listening to the engine?
⛽🕓🌡️
14 of 14!
14 of 14 here. The color is draining from Mike Busch’s face now, given his advocacy of LOP operations 😅.
These are excellent videos Jason. I am learning so much from them. Looking forward to tomorrow’s episode.
14 of 14
14/14
14 for 14
That would be a must here in the Rocky Mountains, lowest airport around is probably 4800’, and in the summer it would be even more necessary.