Aviation

If you’re learning to work on reciprocating aircraft engines, the magneto is one of the most important components of the ignition system to understand. Magnetos have been used on aircraft engines for decades because they are simple, reliable, and—most importantly—do not depend on the aircraft’s electrical system to produce ignition. Understanding magnetos is also important for anyone pursuing an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate. Magneto operation, inspection, and timing are fundamental Powerplant subjects. ...

Aircraft Fuel & Fuel Metering Systems: How Aircraft Engines Get the Right Fuel at the Right Time An aircraft engine can have perfect compression, a strong ignition system, and plenty of airflow, but none of that matters if the engine does not receive the correct amount of fuel at the correct time. That is the job of the aircraft’s fuel and fuel metering system. At first glance, the purpose of a fuel system seems simple: move fuel from the aircraft’s fuel tanks to the engine. In reality, the system has to do much more than simply deliver fuel. ...

How They Work, How They Control RPM, and Why Blade Angle Matters Propellers look simple from the outside. A few blades spin around a hub and pull an airplane through the air. But once you start studying aircraft maintenance, you quickly discover that a propeller is actually a sophisticated aerodynamic system. On many aircraft, it is also part of a hydraulic and mechanical control system capable of automatically changing blade angle, maintaining engine RPM, feathering after an engine failure, and even producing reverse thrust after landing. ...