FAASTeam Maintenance Safety Tip
April 2012
Cool It!
We all have heard the saying, “Cool It.” It is slang for relax, calm down, take it easy. And, in this sense, it is safe to say we all need to do this from time to time - to avoid making mistakes – especially when feeling the pressure and stress from our work environment. But to you folks who maintain and operate aircraft engines, it takes on a whole different meaning.
Many engines may require you to “Cool it” down before shutting it down. Improper cool down could lead to sudden damage or even latent damage resulting in future failure.
Whether you operate engines frequently and have tremendous knowledge about them or you only operate engines infrequently, always use the engine run checklist. Whether you operate turbine and/or piston-powered engines, and especially if you operate a variety of make and model engines, the bottom line is to understand and comply with the manufacturer’s current operating procedures. And always heed the “Notes, Cautions, and Warnings” for the engine you are working on.
As a result, when you “Cool It” properly, you will be able to relax, calm down, and take it easy!