Engines & Ignition Flashcards

1
Q

What are the key components of piston engines?

A

Cylinder, piston, connecting rod, and piston rings.

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2
Q

What is the role of piston rings in an engine?

A

To create a seal and maintain compression.

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3
Q

What are the four strokes in a four-stroke engine cycle?

A

Intake, compression, power, and exhaust.

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4
Q

How does the camshaft control valve operations?

A

By opening and closing valves through push rods and rocker arms.

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5
Q

What is the difference between fixed pitch and constant speed propellers?

A

Fixed pitch propellers have a set blade angle; constant speed propellers adjust blade angle for efficiency.

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6
Q

What are common methods of engine cooling in piston engines?

A

Oil cooling and air cooling.

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7
Q

Why is pre-flight inspection critical for aircraft engines?

A

To check for contamination, damage, engine oil levels, and overall condition.

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8
Q

What is the purpose of the fuselage in an aircraft?

A

To provide structural integrity and house components like bulkheads, stringers, and skin.

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9
Q

What are the types of undercarriage configurations?

A

Tricycle and tailwheel configurations.

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10
Q

What is the role of the propeller twist?

A

To create equal thrust along the blade.

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11
Q

What is the role of magnetos in the ignition system?

A

To generate electrical current for spark plugs independently of the battery.

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12
Q

What is the purpose of the rocker arms in an engine?

A

To transfer motion from push rods to open or close engine valves.

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13
Q

What is the compression ratio, and why is it important?

A

It is the ratio of total volume to clearance volume in an engine cylinder, affecting engine performance and efficiency.

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14
Q

What causes detonation in aircraft engines?

A

Low octane fuel, high compression, lean mixtures, or overheated engines.

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15
Q

How can detonation in engines be prevented?

A

Use higher octane fuel, avoid lean mixtures, and monitor engine temperatures.

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16
Q

What is pre-ignition, and what causes it?

A

Pre-ignition occurs when the fuel-air mixture ignites before the spark plug fires, caused by hot spots or overly lean mixtures.

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17
Q

What is the modified Otto cycle?

A

A cycle with adjustments to valve timing and ignition to enhance engine power.

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18
Q

What is valve overlap, and why is it important?

A

A short period when both inlet and exhaust valves are open, improving engine efficiency.

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19
Q

What is volumetric efficiency in engines?

A

It measures the efficiency of filling the cylinder with the fuel-air mixture; can exceed 100% in turbocharged or supercharged engines.

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20
Q

What happens during the ignition and power stroke in an engine?

A

The spark plug ignites the fuel-air mixture, driving the piston downward and rotating the crankshaft.

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21
Q

What are the effects of detonation on engine components?

A

Causes piston damage, increases cylinder head temperature, and reduces engine performance.

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22
Q

What role do spark advance and effective crank angle play in engine operation?

A

Spark advance maximizes piston momentum, while effective crank angle transmits power to the crankshaft.

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23
Q

What is the difference between detonation and pre-ignition?

A

Detonation is an uncontrolled explosion after the spark plug fires; pre-ignition occurs when the mixture ignites before the spark plug fires.

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24
Q

What are the advantages of fuel injection systems over carburetors?

A

More efficient fuel burn, reduced induction icing, consistent power output, and better fuel atomization.

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25
Q

What are the disadvantages of fuel injection systems?

A

Risk of vapor lock, higher initial cost, and potential for fuel line blockages.

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26
Q

What is vapor lock, and how can it be prevented?

A

Vapor lock occurs when hot fuel turns into gas, blocking fuel flow. It can be prevented by cooling the engine or using an electric fuel pump.

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27
Q

What are the components of a fuel injection system?

A

Fuel pump, fuel air control unit, and fuel manifold valve.

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28
Q

How do fuel injection systems prevent carburetor icing?

A

They eliminate the carburetor, reducing induction icing and providing consistent fuel delivery.

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29
Q

What are the functions of engine oil?

A

Lubrication, cooling, cleaning, sealing, and corrosion protection.

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30
Q

What are the differences between wet and dry sump systems?

A

Wet sump systems have the engine in the oil sump; dry sump systems use an external tank with a scavenge pump.

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31
Q

What is the purpose of cow flaps in engine cooling?

A

To control air intake and exhaust, helping maintain engine temperature and prevent overheating.

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32
Q

What could low oil pressure and high temperature indicate?

A

Insufficient oil, oil leaks, or engine problems.

33
Q

What types of engine oil are commonly used in aircraft?

A

Ashless dispersant oil, straight mineral oil, and synthetic oil.

34
Q

How does the fuel air control unit function in a fuel injection system?

A

It meters fuel based on throttle position and sends it to the fuel distributor for precise delivery.

35
Q

What could high oil pressure and low temperature indicate?

A

Excessive oil or a blocked oil filter.

36
Q

At what conditions is carburetor icing most likely to occur?

A

Below 20°C and relative humidity over 80%, or at temperatures up to 40°C with 50% humidity.

37
Q

What is the function of carburetor heat?

A

To warm intake air and prevent carburetor icing by using heat from the exhaust.

38
Q

What are the symptoms of carburetor icing?

A

Unexplained drop in RPM, rough running, decreased manifold pressure, and loss of power.

39
Q

How does carburetor heat affect the fuel-air mixture?

A

It makes the mixture richer due to less dense air.

40
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of carburetor aircraft?

A

Advantages: simplicity, cost-effectiveness, reliability. Disadvantages: prone to icing, inefficiency at high performance, not suitable for inverted flight.

41
Q

What is the effect of a rich fuel-air mixture?

A

It can cause black exhaust smoke, spark plug fouling, and reduced engine performance.

42
Q

What is the effect of a lean fuel-air mixture?

A

It can cause engine overheating, detonation, and potential damage.

43
Q

Why is mixture control important during taxiing?

A

To prevent spark plug fouling caused by carbon deposits from a rich mixture.

44
Q

What do blue and black exhaust smoke indicate?

A

Blue smoke indicates oil burning; black smoke indicates a rich fuel mixture.

45
Q

How can spark plug fouling be cleared?

A

By leaning the mixture and increasing throttle.

46
Q

What is the purpose of the mixture control in aircraft?

A

To restrict fuel flow and adjust the fuel-air mixture for optimal engine performance.

47
Q

What are the risks of running the engine with a too lean mixture?

A

Detonation and potential engine damage.

48
Q

What is the role of magnetos in the ignition system?

A

To provide electric current to spark plugs, allowing the engine to operate even if the battery fails.

49
Q

Why are dual magnetos important in aircraft engines?

A

For safety and efficiency, each cylinder has two spark plugs connected to two magnetos.

50
Q

What is the function of impulse coupling in the ignition system?

A

To provide a hot, retarded spark for starting the engine, operating on the left magneto only.

51
Q

What are the potential hazards of a live magneto?

A

The engine may run even with the keys in the off position, posing safety risks.

52
Q

What is carburetor icing, and what are its causes?

A

It occurs when ice forms in the carburetor due to fuel vaporization, throttle icing, or impact icing.

53
Q

What are the symptoms of carburetor icing?

A

Rough running, decreased manifold pressure, power loss, and RPM drop.

54
Q

How can carburetor icing be counteracted?

A

By applying carburetor heat to burn off the icing.

55
Q

What is the function of the carburetor enrichment valve?

A

To provide an additional boost of fuel at high power settings, enriching the mixture.

56
Q

Why is understanding carburetor icing important for pilots?

A

To be prepared for icing conditions during VFR and IFR operations and ensure engine performance.

57
Q

What should pilots do to avoid impact icing?

A

Decrease altitude and consider icing conditions when flying above freezing levels.

58
Q

What is a high-density altitude airport?

A

Airports located at altitudes of 5000-6000 feet or those experiencing high temperatures, resulting in lower air density.

59
Q

How should the mixture be leaned for best economy?

A

Lean the mixture to peak exhaust gas temperature (EGT).

60
Q

How should the mixture be adjusted for best power?

A

Lean to slightly richer than peak EGT.

61
Q

What does P, E, G, T stand for?

A

Peak Exhaust Gas Temperature, used for determining the chemically correct mixture for best economy.

62
Q

Why is leaning important at high-density altitude airports?

A

To compensate for lower air density, which can cause engine flooding and inefficient performance.

63
Q

What is the difference between high-density and low-density altitude airports?

A

High-density altitude airports are at higher elevations or high temperatures, requiring mixture adjustment; low-density altitude airports do not.

64
Q

What is the correct mixture setting for best economy?

A

Peak EGT.

65
Q

What is the correct mixture setting for best power?

A

Slightly rich of peak EGT.

66
Q

Why is peak EGT important for engine performance?

A

It represents the chemically correct mixture for efficient combustion.

67
Q

Why is a slightly rich mixture recommended for best power?

A

It provides a cooling effect and prevents engine overheating.

68
Q

What are the key components of piston engines?

A

Cylinder, piston, connecting rod, and piston rings.

69
Q

What is the role of piston rings in an engine?

A

To create a seal and maintain compression.

70
Q

What are the four strokes in a four-stroke engine cycle?

A

Intake, compression, power, and exhaust.

71
Q

How does the camshaft control valve operations?

A

By opening and closing valves through push rods and rocker arms.

72
Q

What is the difference between fixed pitch and constant speed propellers?

A

Fixed pitch propellers have a set blade angle; constant speed propellers adjust blade angle for efficiency.

73
Q

What are common methods of engine cooling in piston engines?

A

Oil cooling and air cooling.

74
Q

Why is pre-flight inspection critical for aircraft engines?

A

To check for contamination, damage, engine oil levels, and overall condition.

75
Q

What is the purpose of the fuselage in an aircraft?

A

To provide structural integrity and house components like bulkheads, stringers, and skin.

76
Q

What are the types of undercarriage configurations?

A

Tricycle and tailwheel configurations.

77
Q

What is the role of the propeller twist?

A

To create equal thrust along the blade.

78
Q

What is the role of magnetos in the ignition system?

A

To generate electrical current for spark plugs independently of the battery.

79
Q

What is the purpose of the rocker arms in an engine?

A

To transfer motion from push rods to open or close engine valves.