"john smith" wrote in message
...
In article . com,
Jay Honeck wrote:

Plenty of people practice touch-n-goes in their own airplanes ... if
they are THAT damaging to an engine, we'd be hearing of this engine
damage all the time. People with Cubs or other small tailwheels are out
doing touch-n-goes ALL THE TIME...doesn't seem to bother their engines.

The Lycoming AEIO-540's in Pitts S-2's have a TBO of 1200 hours.
Pilots who fly Unlimited and Advanced maneuvers typically average
600-700 hours since new before the engines are replaced.
The constant stresses of going from full throttle to idle and back to
full throttle definitely take their toll on an engine.

I suspect that the gyroscopic forces have a very large part in wearing out
the engines, also. Plus, as you said, the idle to full throttle (wide open,
high RPM prop setting all the time, at that) operation that does not allow
time to go up to full power gradually.

Totally different than the average Joe out there shooting touch and go's and
go-arounds.
--
Jim in NC