POWERPLANT - ENGINE MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING Flashcards
What is ‘detonation’ in an aircraft engine?
Sudden explosion of the fuel-air mixture
Which of the following can cause detonation in a piston engine?
Low fuel octane rating
What is the recommended procedure if water is detected in the aircraft fuel system?
Drain the system and replace the fuel
How is an aircraft engine typically started?
Using a starter motor
What is a typical symptom of carburetor icing?
Decrease in engine RPM
What does the term ‘leaning the mixture’ mean?
Decreasing the fuel-to-air ratio
What is ‘pre-ignition’ in a piston engine?
Early ignition of the fuel-air mixture
What is a typical symptom of a failing magneto in an aircraft engine?
Engine misfiring or rough running
What does the term ‘rich mixture’ mean in aircraft engines?
High fuel-to-air ratio
What does the term ‘hot start’ refer to in a jet engine?
Excessive EGT during startup
In turbine engine maintenance, what is the purpose of a hot section inspection?
To inspect and maintain the combustion and turbine sections
What is the most common cause of oil foaming in an aircraft engine?
Air leakage into the oil system
Which of the following is a symptom of a partially clogged fuel injector in a reciprocating engine?
Rough idle
Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause engine surging in a turbine engine?
Inlet distortion
When adjusting the idle speed of a reciprocating engine, the mixture control should be set to:
Full Rich
What is the indication of a failed engine bearing?
Metallic noise
What is the primary purpose of the dynamic propeller balancing often performed on Lycoming engines?
To reduce engine vibration
FAA regulations require which action if a Continental engine’s oil consumption significantly increases?
Conduct a thorough inspection to determine the cause
What is the recommended oil type for most Continental engines according to manufacturer specifications?
Ashless dispersant oil
During a pre-flight inspection, what should be checked in the fuel system of a Lycoming engine?
Fuel quantity and signs of contamination
What common maintenance action is recommended for Continental engines equipped with turbochargers?
Periodic cleaning of the wastegate and turbocharger components
For Continental engines, what is the typical cause of an engine not reaching full RPM during takeoff?
Incorrect magneto timing
Which of the following is a common indication of a magneto problem in a Continental engine?
Engine backfiring
What is the recommended procedure for troubleshooting a rough running Lycoming engine?
Check and clean spark plugs
Which component is crucial for ensuring proper oil pressure in a Continental engine?
Oil pump
According to FAA, what should be done if a Lycoming engine experiences a propeller strike?
Perform a complete engine teardown inspection
What does a significant decrease in manifold pressure indicate in a turbocharged engine?
Turbocharger failure
When should engine oil be changed in a reciprocating engine?
a. Every 100 flight hours or as recommended by the manufacturer
What could be a result of fuel vapor lock in an aircraft engine?
Engine stalling or failure
What could be a consequence of using the wrong grade of oil in an aircraft engine?
Engine overheating or excessive wear
Which of the following indicates the need for an immediate oil change in a turbine engine?
Presence of metal particles in the oil filter
What is the main reason for regularly draining fuel sumps and filters in aircraft?
To remove water and contaminants
What action should be taken if a fuel sample shows contamination?
Report and document the contamination
Which of the following is a common symptom of fuel contamination in a
reciprocating engine?
Rough running engine
Which component is checked during a magneto-to-engine timing procedure?
Crankshaft position
According to regulations, what is required after replacing a propeller governor on a reciprocating engine?
Ground run-up test
Regulations stipulate that an engine test cell must be used for:
Initial run-in of a new or overhauled engine
What does a drop in RPM during a magneto check indicate?
Faulty magneto or ignition system issue
According to FAA, when must an engine be borescoped?
As specified by the manufacturer
What is the typical cause of high oil pressure in an aircraft engine?
Low oil temperature
When troubleshooting a low fuel flow indication in a turbine engine, what is the first component to check?
Fuel pump
What causes ‘carburetor icing’ in a reciprocating engine?
The rapid cooling of air as it passes through the carburetor
What type of damage is most likely to be found in the compressor section of a jet engine?
Foreign object damage (FOD)
What does the ‘rich’ position on a mixture control indicate?
Maximum fuel-to-air ratio
What action should be taken if an engine oil sample shows excessive metal particles?
Conduct an immediate engine teardown inspection
Which of the following is an indication of a successful engine run-up test?
Stable RPM within limits
During an engine inspection, what tool is commonly used to measure cylinder head temperatures?
Pyrometer
What is the typical cause of a rough-running engine during idle in a reciprocating engine?
Incorrect idle mixture setting
According to FAA regulations, when must an aircraft engine be removed for a major overhaul?
After a propeller strike
How often should the magneto timing be checked in a reciprocating engine?
Every 50 flight hours
What is the purpose of a ‘dump valve’ in a fuel system?
To empty the fuel lines after shutdown
What is the purpose of ‘dynamic balancing’ of a turbine rotor?
To minimize vibration
What is the function of a ‘fire loop’ in an aircraft engine?
To detect over-temperature conditions
What is the primary function of a ‘check valve’ in a lubrication system?
To allow oil flow in only one direction
What does ‘specific fuel consumption’ measure in an aircraft engine?
Fuel efficiency
What does the ‘lean’ position on a mixture control indicate?
Minimum fuel-to-air ratio
What is ‘blade creep’ in a turbine engine?
The gradual elongation of turbine blades due to high temperatures and
centrifugal forces.
What is the primary purpose of an engine performance run after maintenance?
To verify that the engine operates within performance limits
According to the FAA, how often should a turbine engine undergo a borescope inspection?
As specified in the engine’s maintenance manual
What is a common cause of high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) in a turbine engine?
Excessive fuel flow
Engine components suspected of exceeding limits should be:
Tagged and sent for detailed inspection
What is the primary indication of a failing fuel pump in a reciprocating engine?
Low fuel pressure
When performing a compression test on an aircraft engine, what is the acceptable minimum pressure difference between cylinders?
25 PSI
What is the purpose of a magneto timing check on a reciprocating engine?
To ensure proper ignition timing
Which of the following is a sign of a turbocharger failure in a piston engine?
Decreased manifold pressure
When troubleshooting a low oil pressure issue in a turbine engine, the first step should be:
Check the oil quantity
In a dual magneto system, if one magneto fails during flight, the engine will:
Run at reduced power
What is the likely cause of fluctuating RPM in a piston engine?
Fuel contamination
When should a turbine engine’s fuel nozzles be cleaned?
When engine performance degrades
What is the primary purpose of a trend monitoring program for turbine engines?
To detect early signs of engine degradation
Regulatory bodies mandates that engine mounts must be inspected for:
Cracks and corrosion
What must be done if an engine exceeds its maximum allowable temperature during operation?
Perform an immediate inspection for damage
What could be a possible cause of high oil consumption in a reciprocating engine?
Worn piston rings
In a piston engine, what does a spark plug fouling usually indicate?
Rich mixture
Regulations state that an engine overhaul must include:
Inspection and testing of critical components
Which type of maintenance task is considered a major repair under FAA regulations?
Replacing an engine mount
What type of inspection is typically performed after an aircraft engine overhaul?
Post-overhaul inspection
What is ‘blade tracking’ in relation to propellers?
Ensuring each blade follows the same path
What is a counterweight propeller?
A propeller with adjustable counterweights for pitch control
What is the effect of a propeller slipstream on aircraft performance?
Increases airflow over the wings
