Cowl Flaps

[Beegnnnmy]

Hiya,

I was wondering if someone can give me a simple, laymans terms on what the above do please?

Thanks very much

Beegnnnmy

[Noggin]

They control the airflow through the engine nacelle to facilitate engine cooling. They were once called Cowl Gills.

[Beegnnnmy]

Ur a god thanks a lot

Beegnnnmy

[Speedbird48]

Cowl flaps are fitted to larger piston engine cowlings to allow excess, hot, cooling air to escape. They are normally open for climb, closed in cruise and opened on landing.
Cowl gills are used on large air cooled radial engines and appear as a ring at the back of the cowling. Again normally open on the ground closed for cruise and in trail for take-off. If left open for take-of there can be a big performance penalty. These engines can also have separate oil cooler shutters to control oil temperature.

[Beegnnnmy]

Cheers

Beegnnnmy