Tag Archives: type of aircraft

Maintenance Tips for Aircraft Engines: How to Keep Your Engine Running Smoothly

13 June 2023   Aircraft Maintenance

The health of your aircraft engine is of the utmost importance. It’s the heart and soul of your aircraft, not to mention a very valuable asset, so investing in regular maintenance is highly recommended. Depending on your knowledge and skill level, there are certain routine maintenance checks you can perform yourself, while others are best left to licensed professionals. Here’s how to keep your aircraft engine running smoothly from our reliable aircraft mechanics in New Jersey.  

How to Get the Maximum Life Out of Your Engine

  • Run the engine at least one hour a week. Similar to how you shouldn’t leave a car sitting without running the engine for a long period of time, nor should you leave an aircraft engine sitting without running it. This will prevent rust build-up and help extend the life of your engine.
  • Keep the engine temperature at a setting that maximizes its life. Damage can occur if an engine is running at too hot or too cold of a temperature – the precise temperature will depend on the type and size of the engine. 
  • Minimize large temperature changes when flying. Flying through various climatic zones can result in drastic temperature changes, which can increase wear and tear on your engine. Some of the damage that could occur are cylinder head cracks from shock cooling, so it’s important to really assess the flight route you’re taking before take-off to minimize temperature changes. 

Use Gauges

Gauges allow for more precise temperature control. While all aircraft have oil temperature gauges, you can monitor engine temperature information using two additional gauges:

  • Cylinder head temperature (CHT) gauge: This gauge measures the temperature at the cylinder head, which is a crucial indicator of the engine’s health. 
  • Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge: This gauge measures the temperature as the exhaust leaves the cylinder. 

Have Your Engine Inspected Regularly

We recommend investing in regular maintenance checks from licensed and insured aircraft engine technicians. They’ll be able to troubleshoot your engine and identify any little issues before they become big problems. In the end, regular maintenance saves you money because it can prevent costly breakdowns from occurring. Regular inspections are especially important if you’re flying over salt water, because salt can cause your engine to corrode more quickly if you don’t keep it clean. 

Perform Repairs Immediately

If one of your engines needs a repair, don’t stick it in a hangar and save the repairs for a rainy day. Repairs should be performed immediately to reduce the extent of damage to other parts of the engine, and to ensure the problem doesn’t become worse. 

As mentioned, aircrafts are a huge investment and we recommend keeping the engines in the best possible condition. Through a combination of regular maintenance, timely repairs, and temperature monitoring, you can help extend the life of your engine and keep it running smoothly for years to come. 

For more information about proper aircraft engine maintenance,  please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today and visit our website at: https://monmouthjetcenter.com

New Technology for Preheating Your Aircraft Engine

20 December 2022   Aircraft Maintenance

During these cold winter months it’s important that you properly preheat your aircraft engine before taking flight. Much like you preheat your car on a freezing morning, you should also preheat your aircraft engine because when you start an aircraft engine cold, the pistons are forced to work overtime and it causes excess wear and tear on your engine. 

While standard heating methods like block heaters, dipstick heaters, and hot air blowers are tried and true methods of preheating your aircraft engine, new technologies have been developed that are more convenient and efficient. Let’s explore several of these heating methods. 

The Standard Methods

Block heater

A block heater is a small heater that is embedded into the engine itself, so it will need to be installed. A cord runs from the block heater to an electrical outlet, allowing your engine to warm up thoroughly before you use your aircraft. How long you’ll need to keep it plugged in before using your aircraft depends on the size of your engine, it can be anywhere from two to six hours.

Dipstick heater

A dipstick heater replaces your regular oil engine dipstick, and it heats the oil in your engine directly. These heaters need to be installed professionally, and are more commonly used in smaller aircraft engines. Dipstick heaters also need to be plugged in so they can warm the oil in your engine, so you’ll need access to a nearby electrical outlet. 

Hot air blower

Hot air blowers, generally powered by propane, diesel, or gas, are commonly found at many executive airports. These heaters are set up on a cart that easily moves from aircraft to aircraft, and a large, cylindrical vent runs from the heater into your aircraft to warm it. 

New Technology: Cellular Access To Control Your Heater

The aircraft industry is always interested in easier, more convenient, and more efficient ways to preheat aircraft engines. One impressive new product called Switchbox allows you to turn on your preheater using your iPhone or iPad, so you don’t have to venture out into the chilly night to preheat your aircraft engine. 

With Switchbox there’s no risk of leaving your heater running too long if you decide not to fly, or forgetting to turn it off, because you can set custom timers to switch off your heater at the time of your choice. You can also simply send a text message to turn off your heater, and you’ll get a reply text to confirm the heater has been turned off. 

With remote heating options like Switchbox, you don’t have to trudge to the airport the night before to plug in your engine heater, you don’t have to worry about finding airport staff to preheat your engine if you can’t do it yourself, and you don’t have to worry about forgetting to switch it off. It’s convenient, efficient, and ensures your aircraft is ready to fly. 

For more information about the new technology for preheating your aircraft engine, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Jet service and hangar space – rent or build?

7 December 2021   Hangar Space

If you’re in the market for aircraft hangar space then you have several options: renting, buying, or building. Your aircraft is a big investment and having a safe place to store it is essential. In this article, our NJ team at Monmouth Jet Center explores the various options available to you when it comes to acquiring hangar space. 

Investor owned or leased?

If you want to invest in your own aircraft hangar, you always have the option to lease it when you’re not using it. Many investors negotiate ground leases with local aircraft owners who need hangar space. And at smaller airports like Monmouth Jet Center, you’ll never have to put your name on a waiting list or wonder if there will be space for your aircraft. 

Advantages of owning a hangar

When you own a private hangar you can customize it to your exact specifications. You’ll never need to negotiate any hangar leases or worry about finding hangar space to rent, and you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your aircraft is completely secure. Another advantage of owning a hangar is you always have the option to rent it out in the future, earning you extra income. 

The cost of building your own facility

Costs vary depending on your needs, but as a general rule, you can expect to spend $22 per square foot when building a custom aircraft hangar. It’s important to understand that when you build your own facility, you will technically own the hangar, but you’ll still be leasing the ground it’s built on. You’ll also be responsible for insurance costs, maintenance costs, repairs, and any upgrades you decide on. 

The benefits of leasing space

Leasing can be a convenient option if you aren’t ready for the responsibility of owning your own hangar. Each airport has its own terms and conditions with ground leases, and at Monmouth we do our best to accommodate your needs and your schedule. 

If you’d like to know more about renting or building custom hangar space, or if you have any questions about our airport, please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.