I have to agree with Scott.

I used to remove chokes, in my youth. Had to get that last single rpm out of an engine.

Over time, I realized that consistency is worth something too. Getting the engine to start, and then stay running is worth a lot more than a couple of rpm.

I'm an engine enthusiast. The airplane is just an engine holder to me. Lots of my planes do not have cowls, even if they came with them. I want the engine out in the clear where I can keep track of what is going on with it.

In my golden years, I have succumbed a bit to running a cowl on a plane, but I don't let it get in the way of good operation of the engine, if you know what I mean.


Ed Cregger