• An aircraft power plant is used for the

component of propulsion for an aircraft that

converts chemical power into mechanical
power. Aircraft engines are almost always
either lightweight piston engines or gas
turbines.
 Topics to be Discussed
• Parts of a piston engine • Induction system
• Cylinder Arrangements • Fuel system
• Four Stroke Operating • Cooling system
Cycle • Oil system
• Ignition system • Electrical system
• Abnormal Combustion • propellers
Section A: The Reciprocating
Engine and Related Systems
 2 Fundamental Types of Engines
• Reciprocating Engine • Gas Turbine
- Back and forth - Also called a
movement of the Combustion Turbine, is
internal parts a rotary engine that
- Also often known as extracts energy from a
the piston engine. It flow of combustion gas.
uses one or more - Produces large output
reciprocating pistons to of power
convert the pressure
into a rotating motion
Reciprocating Engine Gas Turbine
 Reciprocating or piston engine
• A reciprocating engine, also often known as a
piston engine, is a heat engine that uses one
or more reciprocating pistons to convert
pressure into a rotating motion.
 Parts of a Piston Engine
1. Piston – movable bar inside the cylinder
2. Connecting Rod – transmits the force to the
crankshaft
3. Crankshaft – makes the propeller rotate
4. Crankcase- housing for the crankshaft.
5. Spark Plug – produces the spark to ignite the fuel
and air mixture
6. Intake and Exhaust valve – part where the fuel and
air passes
7. Camshaft – opens and closes the intake and
exhaust valve
 Cylinder Arrangements
1. In-line – lined up in one row
2. Opposed – commonly used on small
airplanes, it eliminates fuel lock and engine
vibration
3. V-type – tilted 30 to 60 degrees apart
4. Radial – arranged in a circle around a
crankcase located in the middle
 Cylinder Arrangement
In-Line Type V-Type

Opposed Type Radial Type

 Four Stroke Operating Cycle
1. Intake – fuel and air mixture enters the intake valve
to the cylinders
2. Compression – intake valve closes and the piston
moves up to compress the fuel and air mixture
which causes temp. rise
3. Power – igniting of the spark plug which causes to
make the piston move downwards to rotate the
crankshaft
4. Exhaust – burned gases exits through the exhaust
valve
Four Stroke Operating
Cycle
 In-Line Type
Opposed Type

V-Type Radial Type

 Induction System

• Is to bring outside air into the engine, mix fuel

in the proper portion and deliver it to the
cylinders for combustion
 Types of Induction System

1. Carburetor Type
2. Fuel injected
 Carburetor System

• Device that mixes fuel and air

• Gives correct fuel and air ratio for the
cylinders

Float type Carburetor

• Difference in pressure at the venturi throat
and air inlet
 Parts of Float type Carburetor
• Venturi
• Throttle control lever
• Float
• Float chamber
• Mixture needle
• Discharge nozzle
• Air inlet
• Fuel inlet
• Air bleed
• Interconnecting tubes
Float Type Carburator
Carburator Icing
Carburator Heat System
Fuel Injected System
 Fuel System

• Store Fuel
• Supplies fuel to the carburetor
• Provides continuous fuel flow
2 types of Fuel System
2 types of Fuel System
 Fuel Selector
Valve

Fuel
Quantity
Gauge
 Kinds
of Fuel
 Ignition System

• Provides spark that ignites the fuel and air

mixture in the combustion chamber
 Parts of the Ignition System
• Magneto
• Spark Plugs
• Interconnecting wires
• Ignition Switch
 Ignition System
Spark Plug
Magneto

Ignition Switch
 Abnormal Combustion
• Detonation
• Pre – ignition
Detonation and Pre-Ignition
 Cooling System

• It is designed to keep the engine temperatures

within the limits given by the manufacturers
 Causes of High Engine Temp.

• Burning of fuel and air mixture in the cylinder

• Friction of moving parts

 Ways of Engine Cooling
• Oil Circulation

• Expulsion of heat energy in the exhaust gases

• The circulating air around the compartment

- cooling fins
- cowl flaps
 Intake Port
• Part of the airplane where the air enters for
the induction system
 Cylinder Head Temp Gauge
Cowl Flaps

Cooling Fins
 Oil System

• Lubricates engine’s moving parts

• Removes heat from the cylinders

• It carries away the contaminants caused by the

combustion of fuel
 Types of Oil System

• Dry sump system – oil is contained in a separate tank

- circulated through engine pumps

• Wet sump system – the oil is carried in a sump which is

a part of the engine
- oil pump draws oil from the sump
and routes it to the engine
Dry Sump System
Wet Sump System
Dry Sump System
 Oil System Gauges

Oil Pressure Gauge Oil Temperature Gauge

 Engine Controls

• Throttle
• Mixture
• Propeller Control
Engine Controls for the
Induction System
 Electrical System
• Provide electrical current to the whole system
 Electrical Systems
Alternator Battery Ammeter

Circuit Breakers
Master Switch