Aviation Oil Basics
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The importance of aviation oil to an aircraft shouldn’t be surprising. Much like the human body when dehydrated, toxins build up and overcome the system. So it is with aircraft.
Oil never wears out; however, its effectiveness wears down the longer it does its job of suspending dirt and contaminants picked up from the aircraft engine. Once it reaches a level of over-suspension, the aviation oil then begins to lose performance value with the depletion of its additives. At the same time, bearing corrosion occurs along with buildup of deposits from old oil.
Aviation oil analysis kits aid in checking your aircraft oil. Regular analysis builds a trend of your engine’s performance. It also provides information such as air intake leaks, fuel dilution and viscosity integrity. For preventative maintenance, regular aviation oil analysis increases chances to discover possible issues before they become major problems.
If not using an oil filter, aviation oil should be changed every 25 operating hours and every 50 hours if using a filter. These are the recommendations of most aviation oil manufacturers.
And if you’re strutting around in an airplane t-shirt, advertising your pilot status make sure your car engine is maintained, otherwise its plain embarrassing.
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