"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...
What are cowl flaps for, and how are they used? The name implies that
they are some sort of aerodynamic control surface, but they don't
appear to have any aerodynamic effects. In simulation, they are doors
on the bottom of the engine nacelles that open for some unclear
purpose (I see what looks like exhaust pipes or something inside).
What do they do, and why do I have a control for opening and closing
them? This is on a Baron 58, the aircraft I usually fly in
simulation.

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They are not aerodynamic control surfaces... They are for regulating engine
temperature under certain power/speed combinations...

From Wikipedia...

If the aircraft is equipped with adjustable Cowl Flaps:

Cowl Flap Position Control - Cowl Flaps are opened during high power/low
airspeed operations like takeoff to maximize the volume of cooling airflow
over the engine's cooling fins.
Cylinder Head Temperature Gauge - Indicates the tempertaure of all cylinder
heads or on a single CHT system, the hottest head. A Cylinder Head
Temperature Gauge has a much shorter response time than the oil temperature
gauge, so it can alert the pilot to a developing cooling issue more quickly.
Engine overheating may be caused by:
Running too long at a high power setting.
Poor leaning technique
Restricting the volume of cooling airflow too much.
Insufficient delivery of lubricating oil to the engine's moving parts.