This whole thread falls into the same category as "wheel landing or "3-point"; everyone has an opinion. I'm a huge proponent of LOP operation in the Baron and in the Carbon Cub. Several years ago, I attended the Advanced Pilot Seminar in Ada, OK, put on by some real experts in the area of engine operation. One of the instructors, John Deakin published an article last month as a "rebuttal" to the Lycoming publication listed in a previous post. For those interested in really getting into the "nuts & bolts" of LOP Operation, you can read the entire article in the following link, or to make it easier, I've attached as a PDF. I'm certainly not an expert in this field, but my personal experience has been outstanding with both large and small block, fuel injected and carbureted engines; operated LOP they run cool, they save a LOT of fuel, minimal sacrifice in airspeed, and easily reach TBO with no cylinder problems.
http://www.advancedpilot.com/article...articleid=1838