To Lean or not to lean
Have just had an interesting conversation at the club
I said that a business running an air transport business where the engine can only go to TBO and or 12 years from zero time / new engine will run the engine in the cruise leaned as far as is sensible, this is of course to save money by minimising fuel costs.
I said he can do this as he is forced to have an overhaul long before the engine is clapped out (here read running "on condition") and so is unlikely to finding himself having to change cylinders with burnt exhaust valves and other problems.
However when an engine is run by a group "on condition" if you run without leaning at any time you are likely to get longer cylinder life.
What do people think about that and indeed are there any reference works which give some science on this.