What action can a pilot take to cool an overheating engine during a climb?

When an engine is overheating during a climb, one effective action a pilot can take is to reduce the rate of climb and increase airspeed. This approach helps in several ways.

Firstly, reducing the rate of climb allows the engine to operate at a lower power setting relative to its demands during steep climbs. High power settings generate more heat, and by easing back, the engine can cool down more effectively.

Secondly, increasing airspeed enhances the airflow over the engine. A higher speed means that there's more cool air passing through the engine's cooling system and surrounding components, which helps dissipate heat. This optimizes the engine's cooling efficiency, resulting in a better ability to manage its temperature.

In contrast, increasing the climb rate would demand more power and increase heat output, which can exacerbate overheating. Reducing airspeed might not provide sufficient airflow to keep the engine cool, and descending immediately could be inappropriate without further assessing the situation, as it might not resolve the overheating issue effectively and could compromise safety. Therefore, the combination of reducing the rate of climb while increasing airspeed strikes a balance that helps manage engine temperature during critical phases of flight.