Operation of Systems

JLF

Well-Known Member
Hey all, I'm hoping I can post this question up and get a little insight on how to actually teach this lesson to a student pilot.

The assumption is that this student is not mechanically inclined, and doesn't know a crankshaft from a tire iron...

I know I am WAY over thinking all this and making it much harder than it needs to be, but it's just not coming together and I've already spent way too much time trying to organize it.

My trouble comes from finding a way to integrate my specific airplane model into the lesson.

Do you guys say for example, " The purpose of an induction system is to bring in air from the outside, mix it with fuel, and deliver that mixture to the combustion chamber. In our 172RG our induction system consist of..."

Doing the above seems to lend itself to a very long lesson when we start talking about the more complex systems...Remember, this person has no knowledge of these subjects. Yesterday, during my presentation, I spent ~ 1.5 hours just drawing a O block and teaching about internal combustion engine components. I never even got the lesson really.

The other way I was considering doing the lesson, and what I wanted to get your opinion on, was going through all the systems non-aircraft specific. Then going out to the airplane with the POH and reviewing our systems out on the ramp with the book.

This is the last lesson before we start in the airplane, and my biggest issue so far is figuring out how to organize this stuff. Thanks for any ideas.
 
Last Idea sounds like a good one. The idea to me is to keep things simple (i'm sure there will be plenty of disagreement). I'm assuming we are talking about a student pilot? If that's the case he really doesn't need to know how to tear down a motor and build it up again.

Suck, squeeze, bang, blow.

Induction lets air into the cylinders, suck.

that air is mixed with fuel and in the cylinders the squeeze is done by a piston, the squeeze

A spark plug sparks igniting the fuel/air causing the bang...cylinder is forced down turning this guy which the propeller is connected to.

The burn fuel/air is then let out of a cycliner with the exhaust system, the blow.
 
I draw a simple block diagram, explain how the engine works, and then take them to maintenance to see the engine and the various components.
 
I spent ~ 1.5 hours just drawing a O block and teaching about internal combustion engine components. I never even got the lesson really.

I don't think I would have sat there that long. This is really something of a homework assignment.
Besides, does a student really need to know the tiniest detail?
 
Hey all, I'm hoping I can post this question up and get a little insight on how to actually teach this lesson to a student pilot.

The assumption is that this student is not mechanically inclined, and doesn't know a crankshaft from a tire iron...

I know I am WAY over thinking all this and making it much harder than it needs to be, but it's just not coming together and I've already spent way too much time trying to organize it.

My trouble comes from finding a way to integrate my specific airplane model into the lesson.

Do you guys say for example, " The purpose of an induction system is to bring in air from the outside, mix it with fuel, and deliver that mixture to the combustion chamber. In our 172RG our induction system consist of..."

Doing the above seems to lend itself to a very long lesson when we start talking about the more complex systems...Remember, this person has no knowledge of these subjects. Yesterday, during my presentation, I spent ~ 1.5 hours just drawing a O block and teaching about internal combustion engine components. I never even got the lesson really.

The other way I was considering doing the lesson, and what I wanted to get your opinion on, was going through all the systems non-aircraft specific. Then going out to the airplane with the POH and reviewing our systems out on the ramp with the book.

This is the last lesson before we start in the airplane, and my biggest issue so far is figuring out how to organize this stuff. Thanks for any ideas.
If he has no background knowledge, introduce vocabulary first (if you can find an illustration that is labeled that would probably help). Give that at least a day to sink in, then explain using diagrams (if possible). If the student doesn't have any background knowledge, they will not be able to retain indepth information without having something to hook it to.
 
...

Suck, squeeze, bang, blow.

...


By far one of the most useful mnemonics ever. Once you understand the fourstroke system, "fuel, air, spark" and the requirements for the motor to keep going, the rest will follow. Start by talking about things he's familiar with. Then, go into the hangar, or out to the airplane with your Leatherman, and pop a cowl, explain what each part is, and what it does. I think the electrical system is the heart of all airplanes, and the fuel system is the heart of all powerplants. If you start working through each thing, piece by piece, he'll figure it out.
 
Thanks guys.

It is systems, not engine building 101... I thought we were going a little overboard with that stuff. The only reason I knew anything that indepth was due to working on V-twins, NOT any aviation related training. Maybe it was really an FOI evaluation in disguise.

The result was what happens when you let the class run the show. 90 minutes to nowhere.
 
yeah. KISS should be a mantra. A lot of times you have to explain this stuff to them like they are adorable little idiots. Not saying they are but when students are learning something totally new they have a tendency to get that glazed over look real fast.
 
Videos man.... Intake, compression, and power : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvmBLqjaZxY

Displacement, Crankshaft, Piston, Piston Arm, Accessory Gear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtQ1ZAW8fFg&feature=related

4-strokes operating in-line: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA1VpXy1g9g&feature=related

Building that inline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUIo0zV1OhI&feature=related

Wrong language but really good slow 4-stroke example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt-Pz-0zfEc&feature=related

And if they want to know... jet engines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON0sVe1yeOk&feature=related

Slightly better animation of the cam shafts and the crankshaft dipping into the oil pan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXLsna21FWo&NR=1

Hope that helps!
 
Thanks!

My drawing don't come close to those engine animations.

If they want a little more in depth intro to engines, I'm going to these.
 
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