Ramrod,
What these guys are teaching is anything but new.
In fact, it was all well known by the end of WWII and into the 1950's.
Somehow it all got lost over the years, and in Australia in particular, from about the 1980s on, general ab nitio teaching of engine handling varied from bad to appalling.
Indeed, so bad was the teaching, that you came across such modifications (with DCA approval) of mixture controls disconnected, and carb. heat locked in ON. Such helpful "rules of thumb" as "no leaning below 5000' AGL" ---- pity about the density altitude on a hot summer day, at some of the more elevated of our airfields.
Do yourself a favor, read everything you can off Pelican, and get to one of the courses. Ignorance is never very attractive, in aviation can be fatal.
CleartoEnter,
Nothing "wrong" with the "recommendations" , which are that, recommendations, not limitations.
Re. Best Economy, that might be theoretically correct, but very touchy. Worked great on the Qantas "Double Sunrise" services during WWII --- but not recommended for other than extreme range for the fuel available.
The 50 rich of peak is the one that will getcha!! Around there is going to maximize the possibility of detonation.
Tootle pip!!