2006-09-12 09:46:56 · 7 answers · asked by Dan 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Cowlings are the metal enclosures around an aircraft's engine to protect it from the environment (rain, bugs, etc.) and to provide a measure of streamlining to reduce drag. Cowl flaps are controllable openings in the cowling to allow for adjustment in airflow to and through the engine for engine cooling and/or engine inlet air warming.
2006-09-12 09:51:10 · answer #1 · answered by Bob G 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Cowlings are the "lips" of openings, for example, the lip of the front opening of a jet engine or the rim of a tea cup. The cowl flaps are little vent-doors that open/close to allow extra air to be sucked in when forward speeds are more or less docile and not sufficient to feed the engines needs. If there were provision to sketch (bitmaps) in this forum, i'd draw a picture for you to see. Maybe thru email or something i guess.
2006-09-14 10:24:06 · answer #2 · answered by Fulani Filot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bob is right. But to enhance the answer, cowl flaps only apply to old piston engine aircraft that needed to have extra cooling air, for instance, during ground operations. The flaps were closed during cruise to reduce drag and improve fuel economy. Jet aircraft have engine cowlings when the engine is externally mounted (MD-80 for instance) but no cowl flaps per se.
2006-09-12 19:55:33 · answer #3 · answered by tom c 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
engine cowlings are the "envelope" that covers the engine and accessories to maintain it free from mechanical shocks, bugs and other surprises..
it also completes the streamlining to reduce drag.
cowl flaps are "doors" that open to keep or disperse heat from inside of cowling
2006-09-15 14:42:49 · answer #4 · answered by RAFAEL S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a flight instructor at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach. Bob and Tom answered the question exactly right, good job!
2006-09-13 08:50:59 · answer #5 · answered by aceshigh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm full agree with Bob G's answer
2006-09-12 18:43:33 · answer #6 · answered by javiercinni 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cow **** and patties
2006-09-12 17:05:55 · answer #7 · answered by bret f 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋