robert_at_honda wrote:
A little off-topic, but maybe some of the aviation-types/pilots out there can describe how the mixture control works on small aircraft with carburetor-style engines? I'm guessing it allows for manual control of the amount of fuel flow to best match the altitude?
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I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.
Robert@Honda
In a nutshell, yep. However, you want to really stir up a hornet's nest, argue running LOP (Lean of Peak) or ROP (Rich of Peak). :)
Assuming small 4-6 seater general aviation - Most A/C Pilots Operating Manual (POH) or equivalent or Lycoming/Continental engine manuals advocate 50-100° Rich of Peak - lean to find best power or max Exhaust Gas Temperator (EGT) and then richen 50-100°
With good individual Cylinder Temperature Probes and engine analyzers, there's a school of thought that one can run the engines Lean of Peak for better efficiency, at the risk of burning up pistons and/or valves from running too lean.
1950s technology still going strong.
