On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 20:17:03 -0500, Charles Talleyrand wrote:

Our FBO (who are otherwise OK people) have a new policy. They will not
allow one to leave one's airplane's preheater plugged in continously. Instead, one must call them ahead of time and they will plug
it in for you. They charge $10 for this
service.

My questions are this: How long does it take to pre-heat an engine? And will pre-heating my engine prevent more than $10 of damage
per flight? Finally, how do you know? It's more reassuring to here from a mechanic than some tale that starts "My grandfather's
uncle noticed ..."

I suggest you join the Cessna Pilot's Association and send them a
question about this issue. John Frank has done some research on this
subject. The damage caused from a single start in really cold weather is
quite amazing.