• Powerplant
  • Reciprocating engines
    • Radial, In-line, V-Type, Opposed
    • Liquid or air cooled
    • 4-stroke operating cycle (Intake, Compression, Power, Exhaust)
• Propeller
  • Angle of incidence – for prop, angle formed by chord line and reference plane containing prop hub
  • Fixed Pitch Propeller (2 types)
  • Climb Propeller
  • Cruise Propeller
  • Tachometer as indicator of engine power
  • Lower density, less power
  • Controllable Pitch Propeller
  • Constant Speed Propeller
    • Acts as fixed pitch prop when pitch stops contacted
    • Manifold pressure as indicator of engine power (MAP)
      • For given RPM there is Manifold pressure that shouldn’t be exceeded (accordance w/ mfcr)
• Induction Systems (2 types)
  • Carburetor system
    • Float-type and pressure-type
      • Icing most likely @ temps < 70?F (21?C) relative humidity > 80%
      • Carb Heat in float-type
    • Fuel injection system
      • Impact icing
  • Superchargers
    • Increase service ceiling
    • Sea level engine (sea level supercharger)
    • Altitude Engine
    • Turbosuperchargers
      • Critical altitude
      • Turbine and compressor
      • Waste gate
      • Intercooler
      • Overboost
  • Excessively rich mixture causes carbon buildup/spark plug fouling
  • Excessively lean mixture causes detonation

• Ignition System
  • • Dual ignition systems
    • Combustion
    • Detonation
    • Preignition
• Fuel Systems (figures 5-15, 5-17 PHAN)
  • Gravity-fed
  • Fuel-pump, primer, tanks, gauges, selectors, strainers, sumps, and drains
  • Fuel Grades
  • Refueling procedures
• Starting System
• Oil Systems
  • Recip. Engines use wet sump or dry sump oil system
• Engine Cooling Systems
  • Cowl flaps
  • Cylinder Head Temperature Guage (CHT)
• Exhaust Systems
  • Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) and leaning
• Electrical Systems
  • 14- or 28-volt direct current system
  • Ground Power Unit (GPU) receptacle
  • Alternator/Generator
  • Ammeter/Loadmeter
  • Voltage regulator
• Hydraulic Systems
  • Single- or double-acting servos
• Landing Gear
  • Tricycle (Nosewheel)
    • Steerable or Castering
  • Conventional (Tailwheel)
    • Fixed and Retractable
• Brakes
• Autopilot

See aircraft POH

See Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, C. 5

See PHAN C. 5 Figures