Thinking about Jaba's quote...
The engineering in these things has always amazed me. You get talking to people 'that know' and they scoff at air cooling. (seems to work to me) They are then amazed that we tell them we run em at 75% power till the fuel runs out. (well ok almost)
They squat on the belief that no factory (unmodified) engine can do that, and insist its been modified.
You watch them shake their heads in disbelief when you tell em a 540 only makes 300hp or so. Then they really fall over when you tell em the operator (pilot) has control over mixture, normally answered with 'why the **** would they let you do that'
Some (most) mechanics really should stick to changing oil.
TBH I really think few pilots really understand this stuff, and the attitude of most CPL's doesn't help, as most are too busy studying for the next rating to go take a sidestep for this stuff (and no not trying to wind anyone up), but surely they could ensure the student knows where to get it. If it was taught properly at PPL level there wouldn't be any OWT's floating about. Maybe the schools should look to appoint someone to teach this stuff as a specialist...from the get go.
If it's not addressed, and it has to be, as The info I see and hear too often, says that what is being taught is getting worse. Then engines are going to suffer, and owners will decide to either opt out, or decide that its cheaper to fit a FADEC, and the knowledge will become just another victory for the IT nerds.
Jas