What might a pilot be doing if the engine oil temperature and cylinder head temperature gauges exceed normal range?

When a pilot observes that the engine oil temperature and cylinder head temperature gauges exceed the normal range, it typically indicates that the engine is operating under excessive stress or thermal load. When operating with too much power and a lean mixture, the engine may generate more heat than it can dissipate, resulting in elevated temperatures. This situation can arise during high-power settings, especially if the fuel-air mixture is lean, as it leads to higher combustion temperatures and less effective cooling of the engine components.

Maintaining the correct mixture is essential for optimal engine performance and cooling. When the mixture is too lean, it can cause the engine to run hotter because the combustion process becomes more efficient but also more intense, producing more heat. Therefore, the scenario where a pilot is operating with excessive power settings and a lean mixture directly correlates to the observed high temperatures in the engine gauges, confirming that this is a plausible reason for the gauge readings exceeding the normal range.