On a Beechcraft Baron it is a plate to cover some of the inlet air into the cowling. As usual, there are placards everywhere to remind the operator when to use it and when not to. Look for two or four nutplates in the inlet of the cowling. Also check a parts catalogue.
Plate goes over air inlet for Crankcase/ Oil cooler, idea is to keep oil temps up in the recommended range when operating in low ambient temp. conditions.
Thanks guys,. .. .I've always wondered what it was - now I know.. .. .P.S. I'm going to include it as a technical question in some PPL skills tests (oral) - I won't mind if they don't know the answer but it will certainly get them thinking!!!). .. .Thanks again.
Make sure that it is the first question that you ask, and watch their faces drop!!. .We engineers are a hoorible lot!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />