Aircraft Preheat Systems Parts Comoplete Catalog

Starting the engine of an aircraft without preheating any of the components can result in long-lasting damage to the aircraft. At a standard temperature, engine parts are designed to have a certain level of clearance between one another. When the temperature of an aircraft increases or decreases however, this clearance is compromised. Much of the hardware and mechanics of an aircraft is made out of aluminum and steel. The problem with this combination is that aluminum has a far greater reaction to changing temperatures than other metals. In colder temperatures, aluminum will contract twice as much as steel, altering the clearance between components, which can cause friction and damage to the engine. To fix this problem, aircraft are usually linked to a type of preheat system in order to slowly warm up the aircraft (or specific parts of it) before turning on the engine. There are various types of preheaters ranging from portable heater systems used at FBOs, to build in aircraft preheat systems.

Electric preheat systems are the common preheat system. They are a small electric pad that is bonded to the oil sump. Oil is preheated before the engine starts up; however, the cylinders should also be preheated using various heat covers and cases. A danger of preheat systems is the condensation that may occur as the warm air flows over cooler parts of the engine. Condensation is not a desired occurrence within an aircraft. Water can lead to corrosion which can later lead to engine damage. Condensation can also affect the accuracy of the various analog systems within the cockpit.

As mentioned, the alternative to electric preheat systems are portable engine preheaters. A blast of hot air is funneled into the bottom of the cowl via the exhaust opening. The air travels through the aircraft and exits through the front of the cowl at the air inlets. This method of preheating heats the entire of the aircraft, therefore avoiding areas of condensation. Ideally, an aircraft should be at 40 degrees °F before turning on the engine.

We at, ASAP NSN Hub, owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, supply aircraft engine preheat system parts worldwide. A few of the manufacturers that provide premium Aircraft engine preheat system parts include Lycoming, Pratt & Whitney, Franklin, Rolls Royce (Allison), and Turbomeca.