Definition
A heating system in many single-engine piston aircraft that warms the cabin by routing outside air across a shroud surrounding the engine's exhaust manifold or muffler, then directing the heated air into the cabin through a pilot-controlled valve.
Plain English
A way of warming the inside of the aircraft by passing fresh air over the hot exhaust pipes and then sending that warmed air into the cabin when the pilot opens a control.
Context Anchor
You encounter cabin heat during cockpit heating, window defogging, preflight checks, and discussions of exhaust system safety.
Why Pilots Care
Provides essential cabin warmth in cold weather to maintain pilot alertness and passenger comfort without relying on electrical systems.
Intuition Check
Cabin heat does not usually mean a separate electric heater like one in a house. In many small airplanes, it means air warmed by hot engine exhaust parts before it is sent inside.
Example Sentence 1
On a cold morning, the pilot pulled the cabin heat knob out to warm the cockpit during cruise.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight inspection the student verified that the cabin heat ducts were clear and the control knob moved freely.