Under the PPL course leaning is a demonstration in the effects of controls. Ex 1-5
Lycombing advise only to lean the engine above 5000ft I think.
The problem I think you will find is that most instructors at PPL level will have about as much training in leaning the engine as you have after reading Jeremy Pratt. Its not covered in any detail In the Instructor course, just the standard demo of pull it back until it starts grumbeling then push it up a bit until it runs clean again then watch your T&P's for over heating.
During my training up to starting work as an Instructor I leaned the engine once and that was in effects of controls on the FIC. So I suspect that on the subject of leaning both student and instructors are idiots.
Since then apart from the standard demo given in lessons. I only lean it when I am above Fl 65 and as yet I have never had a student that has felt the urge to do a xc at that level.
My boss tells me not to encourage the students to do it, the engineers tell me its a bad idea and shags the engine.
And as for it would save the students money in fuel costs. Well maybe, but i doudt it. There are alot of very tight school owners out there and if they thought they could make more money by getting everyone to lean the engine I am sure every instructor would be made to do it.
MJ
Last edited by mad_jock; 24th April 2003 at 05:21.