Aircraft Systems: Engine System

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Questions and Answers

The engine, electrical, and fuel systems are all examples of the many ______ required for safe flight.

systems

Smaller aircraft often use ______ engines, which operate on a four-stroke cycle.

reciprocating

A key function of the electrical system is to maintain battery charge, which is typically accomplished using an ______ or generator.

alternator

The ______ valve is a component of the fuel system that allows the pilot to select which fuel tank to use, providing redundancy and fuel management options.

<p>fuel selector</p> Signup and view all the answers

The lubrication system is vital for reducing friction and cooling the engine, with the ______ gauge indicating its operational effectiveness.

<p>oil pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

In air-cooled engines, heat is dissipated directly into the surrounding air, whereas liquid-cooled engines use a coolant that circulates through a ______.

<p>radiator</p> Signup and view all the answers

[Blank] icing can reduce airflow into the engine, potentially leading to engine power loss. Pilots must be vigilant about conditions that promote icing.

<p>carburetor</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ignition system uses ______, engine-driven and self-contained, to provide the spark needed to ignite the air/fuel mixture.

<p>magnetos</p> Signup and view all the answers

With constant-speed propellers, the blade angle is adjusted automatically by a propeller ______ to maintain a constant engine speed.

<p>governor</p> Signup and view all the answers

At high altitudes, the ______ system is used to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for the occupants.

<p>pressurization</p> Signup and view all the answers

Brakes, landing gear, and flaps are often powered by the ______ system which uses pressurized fluid to actuate these components.

<p>hydraulic</p> Signup and view all the answers

For aircraft with ______ landing gear, the aerodynamic drag can be reduced by stowing the gear during flight.

<p>retractable</p> Signup and view all the answers

The aircraft's attitude and direction are controlled by the pilot through the ______ control system.

<p>flight</p> Signup and view all the answers

Pilots utilize the ______ system to determine position and course, often relying on GPS for precision.

<p>navigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Supplemental oxygen is provided at higher altitudes for the pilot and passengers by the ______ system.

<p>oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

To prevent ice from blocking the pitot tube which can cause the instruments to read incorrectly, ______ is utilized.

<p>pitot heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

The tachometer is an engine instrument that indicates engine speed in ______.

<p>RPM</p> Signup and view all the answers

Instead of a carburetor, some aircrafts use ______ which sprays fuel directly into the intake manifold or cylinders.

<p>fuel injection</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ailerons, elevator, and rudder make up the ______ flight controls.

<p>primary</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ system protects the airplane from icing by either removing ice after it forms or by preventing the formation of ice.

<p>ice and rain protection</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Electrical System

Supplies power for essential systems and instruments.

Lubrication System

Reduces friction, cools, and removes contaminants from the engine.

Cooling System

Removes excess heat from the engine to prevent damage.

Ignition System

Provides a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the cylinders.

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Propeller System

Converts engine power into thrust to propel the aircraft.

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Fuel System

Delivers fuel to the engine for combustion.

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Flight Controls System

Allows the pilot to control the aircraft's attitude and direction.

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Ailerons

Fixed-wing aircraft control surfaces that control roll.

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Elevator

Fixed-wing aircraft control surfaces that control pitch.

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Rudder

Fixed-wing aircraft control surface that controls yaw.

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Induction System

Brings air into the engine for combustion.

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Exhaust System

Expels exhaust gases away from the engine and aircraft.

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Navigation System

Helps determine the aircraft's position and course.

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Tachometer

The device that displays the engine speed.

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Oil Pressure Gauge

Measures the pressure of the oil in the system.

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Oil Temperature Gauge

Measures the temperature of the oil.

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Pressurization System

Maintains cabin pressure at high altitudes.

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Ice and Rain Protection System

Prevents or removes ice accumulation on critical surfaces.

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Oxygen System

Provides supplemental oxygen at high altitudes.

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Landing Gear System

Supports the aircraft on the ground.

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Study Notes

  • Aircraft systems are essential for the safe and efficient operation of an aircraft
  • Pilots need to have a working knowledge of these systems to operate an aircraft safely
  • These systems are generally split into the following:
    • Engine
    • Electrical System
    • Fuel System
    • Lubrication System
    • Cooling System
    • Induction System
    • Exhaust System
    • Ignition System
    • Propeller System
    • Environmental Systems (heating, cooling, pressurization)
    • Hydraulic System
    • Landing Gear System
    • Flight Controls System
    • Navigation System
    • Oxygen System
    • Ice and Rain Protection System

Engine System

  • Provides the power to turn the propeller
  • Reciprocating engines are common in smaller aircraft
  • Turbine engines are common in larger, faster aircraft
  • Four-stroke operating cycle: Intake, Compression, Combustion (Power), Exhaust
  • Engine instruments:
    • Tachometer (RPM)
    • Oil Pressure Gauge
    • Oil Temperature Gauge
    • Cylinder Head Temperature Gauge
    • Manifold Pressure Gauge (for constant-speed propellers in some aircraft)

Electrical System

  • Supplies electrical power for essential systems and instruments
  • Components include:
    • Battery
    • Alternator or Generator
    • Voltage Regulator
    • Circuit Breakers or Fuses
    • Wiring
    • Avionics
    • Lighting
    • Starting System
  • Standard voltage: 12 or 24 volts DC
  • Alternator/Generator maintains battery charge and powers electrical components
  • Ammeter/Voltmeter indicates electrical system status
  • Circuit breakers/Fuses protect circuits from overloads

Fuel System

  • Stores and delivers fuel to the engine
  • Components include:
    • Fuel Tanks
    • Fuel Pumps (engine-driven or electric)
    • Fuel Selector Valve
    • Fuel Filters
    • Fuel Lines
    • Carburetor or Fuel Injectors
  • Fuel quantity gauges indicate the amount of fuel in each tank
  • Fuel pressure gauge indicates fuel pump performance
  • Fuel strainer removes contaminants
  • Fuel selector valve allows selection of fuel tank

Lubrication System

  • Reduces friction between moving engine parts
  • Cools engine parts
  • Removes contaminants
  • Components include:
    • Oil Reservoir (Sump)
    • Oil Pump
    • Oil Filter
    • Oil Cooler (in some aircraft)
    • Oil Pressure Gauge
    • Oil Temperature Gauge
  • Oil pressure should be within specified limits

Cooling System

  • Removes excess heat from the engine
  • Air-cooled engines: Airflow around cylinders dissipates heat directly
  • Liquid-cooled engines: Coolant circulates through the engine and a radiator
  • Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) gauge monitors engine temperature

Induction System

  • Brings air into the engine for combustion
  • Components include:
    • Air Filter
    • Carburetor or Fuel Injection System
    • Intake Manifold
  • Carburetor mixes air and fuel
  • Fuel injection sprays fuel directly into the intake manifold or cylinders
  • Carburetor icing can occur, restricting airflow

Exhaust System

  • Expels exhaust gases away from the engine and aircraft
  • Components include:
    • Exhaust Manifold
    • Muffler (in some aircraft)
    • Tailpipe
  • Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) gauge (in some aircraft)
  • Potential for carbon monoxide poisoning

Ignition System

  • Provides a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture
  • Magnetos are engine-driven and self-contained
  • Two magnetos for redundancy
  • Spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture in the cylinders
  • Ignition switch controls the magnetos

Propeller System

  • Converts engine power into thrust
  • Fixed-pitch propellers: Blade angle is fixed
  • Constant-speed propellers: Blade angle automatically adjusts to maintain constant engine speed (RPM)
  • Propeller governor controls blade angle in constant-speed propellers
  • Manifold pressure gauge (for constant-speed propellers) indicates engine power output

Environmental Systems

  • Heating: Uses engine heat to warm the cabin
  • Cooling: Ventilation or air conditioning systems
  • Pressurization: Maintains cabin pressure at high altitudes (in some aircraft)

Hydraulic System

  • Powers brakes, landing gear, flaps, and flight controls (in some aircraft)
  • Hydraulic fluid is pressurized by a pump
  • Hydraulic actuators move the components
  • Hydraulic pressure gauge indicates system pressure

Landing Gear System

  • Supports the aircraft on the ground during taxi, takeoff, and landing
  • Fixed landing gear: Always extended
  • Retractable landing gear: Can be retracted into the aircraft for reduced drag
  • Landing gear position indicators confirm gear status
  • Brakes slow or stop the aircraft

Flight Controls System

  • Allows the pilot to control the aircraft's attitude and direction
  • Primary flight controls:
    • Ailerons (roll)
    • Elevator (pitch)
    • Rudder (yaw)
  • Secondary flight controls:
    • Flaps (increase lift and drag)
    • Trim tabs (reduce control pressure)
  • Control cables, pushrods, and pulleys transmit pilot input to control surfaces
  • Helps the pilot determine the aircraft's position and course
  • Magnetic compass indicates direction
  • GPS provides precise location and navigation information
  • VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) receivers provide navigation information based on ground-based stations
  • Autopilot systems automatically control the aircraft's flight path (in some aircraft)

Oxygen System

  • Provides supplemental oxygen at high altitudes
  • Oxygen cylinders store oxygen
  • Masks deliver oxygen to the pilot and passengers
  • Oxygen flow regulators control oxygen flow

Ice and Rain Protection System

  • Prevents or removes ice accumulation on critical surfaces
  • De-icing systems: Pneumatic boots, heated surfaces, or chemical application
  • Anti-icing systems: Prevent ice formation
  • Pitot heat prevents ice from blocking the pitot tube
  • Windshield defrosters remove ice or fog from the windshield

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