Originally Posted by
B2N2
Interesting footnote that Charles Lindbergh taught the US Navy 'lean of peak' operations to extend the range of their carrier borne fighters.
I found this link on PPRune
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...-increase.html
Radial engines have perfect fuel and air distribution. Auto lean in big radial engines is 50 LOP.
Lycoming recommends cruise for best economy AT peak EGT, provided 75% power or less.
Below 75% power, no matter what you do with the red knob; you cannot damage the engine. So leaning for taxi, cannot damage the engine.
Air cooled engines have idle mixture set rich. This is so that it will idle when cold and accelerate after a glide approach. Leaning for taxi is advisable as long as you lean aggressively. You really do not want to go full throttle and be LOP as the engine might run nice and smoothly, but will not produce the power you need.