Here in Los Angeles County, we've been ordered to stay at home, except for essential activities, until the Coronavirus pandemic is under control. I have decided that, for [U]me[/U], that means no flying. I don't criticize others who are flying. Indeed, a couple of flight schools in the area are still giving dual instruction. But I have decided that I will wait to fly, until we get the all-clear from medical experts.
I'm uncertain what to do to keep my Rotax 912 ULS-equipped RV-12 in good shape until I can fly it again. The NBAA advised pilots who are not flying to "exercise" their planes, and I interpreted "exercise" to mean doing a run-up periodically. However, I've also read and been told that running up an engine without flying it can do more harm than good.
My plane is in a hangar. The fuel tank is full. The oil has just been changed. And the battery is connected to a trickle charger. If I thought I wasn't going to be able to fly again for several months, I know there is more that could be done, but not things that I am equipped to do myself. So my question boils down to this: should I do a runup every week or so, or should I leave well enough alone so as not to cause damage where none now exits?
