In article ,
"Viperdoc" wrote:

Is it worth lugging long extension cords to plug in the Tanis heaters for my
Baron if it's going to sit outside at 12 degrees for two to three hours
after a flight?

What is an engine worth? g IF you have a cowl blanket and IF the
engine oil will stay warm for that length of time then it shouldn't be a
problem. I would plug it in if it was my airplane.

Also, the POH says to keep the cowl flaps open during taxi and take off, but
when it's so cold outside does this still make sense? As long as the CHTs
remain within a reasonable range what difference should it make?

CHTs might be okay but other areas of the engine compartment may be
heating up. I used to fly a B-17 and B-24, we always had the cowlflaps
open on the ground because if they were closed it was possible to heat
damage the sparkplug wires. Big difference in engines I know. If the
POH says leave them open I would. If you've preheated properly the
engine will come up to temp quickly and you'll need them open. Also,
with a change in procedure it would be easy to goof and leave them
closed during takeoff and climb which could really cook things.

--
Dale L. Falk

There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing around with airplanes.

http://home.gci.net/~sncdfalk/flying.html