The vast majority of general aviation airplanes we fly sport engines that are cooled by air. Those big holes in the front of the cowling ensure that enough air passes over the cylinders and oil cooler to keep extreme temperatures generated within the engine from taking over and causing damage.
In the winter, however, cooling isn’t much of an issue. Instead, keeping certain parts of the engine warm can be a challenge. To help, many aircraft have a removable winterization plate or plates that cover one or both of the openings in the cowling. They can be bolted-on plastic, a piece of metal held on with a pop rivet, or even some duct tape placed at just the right spot inside the engine.
Whether you are aware of it or not, your trainer likely has an oil temperature operating range. It’s best to be kind to the engine and follow this limitation or suggestion, whichever the case may be. Doing this in the winter can be difficult, so a winterization plate is installed to deflect cold air away from the engine and allow it to run at a more efficient temperature.
Each airplane calls for a different method. Those that feature the plate on only one side usually do this because it covers the oil cooler, a part that—not surprisingly—is meant to cool the oil. By deflecting airflow away from the oil cooler, the oil temperature can come up to a safe range faster. This is also why winterization plates are sometimes called oil cooler winterization plates.
Make sure to check your aircraft’s handbook for the appropriate times the plate should be installed. As the weather gets warmer it’s important to make sure the plate is removed as stated in the handbook. If you wait until it’s too warm outside, the oil won’t be able to cool the engine, and damage may result.
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