My IV-P has the landing/taxi light located in the right-hand cowling inlet.

 

Since I’ve owned the aircraft (2011) it’s been a challenge to manage the engine cooling during climb. My home field is at 5100’. I climb at 165 KIAS. By 13,000’ or so my hottest CHT is 400 dF and I have to reduce climb rate or level off for a few minutes to start the CHT’s back down. This situation occurs both winter and summer, although it is worse on a hot day.

 

While training with Bob Jeffrey recently, he suggested I try removing the landing light to see what effect that has on cooling. So I tried it yesterday and, apparently, problem solved. After takeoff I climbed at 165 KIAS all the way to 17,500’ and my hottest CHT only got as high as 392 dF. Indeed the CHTs had begun trending down.

 

So it seems that I need to find a new location to mount the landing/taxi light. The obvious location, that doesn’t involve cutting composite, is the nose gear. Can anyone who has a IV-P with a light mounted there provide guidance as to: type of light, mounting hardware, clearance issues, and anything else I should be aware of?

 

Thanks,

 

Jay Phillips