Failure

FWIW, I had a hard time understanding engines until I seperated the need to knows from the nice to knows and focused on them:

-Know that a recip. engine operates in 4 cycles (2 if you're one of those ultralight weirdos) to generate power to turn the crankshaft, which spins the propeller.

-Know what kind of engine you have, rated HP, and RPM limits (I had an aircraft owner tell me that his 182 had an O-200-That would have been one weak 182)

-Know how many cylinders/spark plugs there are (I'm going to admit that this is not really a need to know item for a pilot, but you might as well know it since it is such a simple thing to know)

-Know what mags do (also know if your airplane has 2 mags or one of those dual mags). Think generator.

-Know whether your engine is caburated or fuel injected (also know what problems can arise with each type of induction system)

-Know how much and what kind of oil your engine needs.

-Know the basics of the fuel system (ex: Cessna guys have killed themselves in low wing aircraft due to fuel mismanagement)

-Be able to explain a CS prop.

-Most importantly, know what to do when it stops working.
 
I had this book many many years ago and thought it was great for helping to understand systems. At some point I either lost it or loaned it to someone and it never came back, I am tempted to buy another copy as it almost seems like it might be out of print now maybe, but looks like a few web sites still carry it, Sporty's included:

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I think that aircraft systems is one area where there's always opportunity to learn more that can potentially benefit you as an aircraft operator, owner, and instructor as you help other aircraft owners understand their machines. Something as simple as Cessna single fuel systems which seem ultra simple (a couple gravity fed tanks) becomes somewhat interesting as you learn all the different variations, how the selectors are plumbed on different systems and why they have different "issues" can help you provide real value as you can explain why owners might experience different behavior from their aircraft.
 
rframe said:
I had this book many many years ago and thought it was great for helping to understand systems. At some point I either lost it or loaned it to someone and it never came back, I am tempted to buy another copy as it almost seems like it might be out of print now maybe, but looks like a few web sites still carry it, Sporty's included:

9598.jpg



I think that aircraft systems is one area where there's always opportunity to learn more that can potentially benefit you as an aircraft operator, owner, and instructor as you help other aircraft owners understand their machines. Something as simple as Cessna single fuel systems which seem ultra simple (a couple gravity fed tanks) becomes somewhat interesting as you learn all the different variations, how the selectors are plumbed on different systems and why they have different "issues" can help you provide real value as you can explain why owners might experience different behavior from their aircraft.
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Might have to add that one to my aviation library.
 
seagull said:
Except in my experience, there are VERY few pilots who will correctly explain lift, particularly those who learned out of the (incorrect) FAA books. Most seem to like to say something about it being "partly newton, partly bernoulli" and it goes downhill from there!
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If an engine is 'suck squeeze bang blow' then lift is '???'

p.s. Derg, that 'suck squeeze bang blow' is in the Lesson Plans.
 
For pistons it is "suck squeeze pop fooey" though. Not sure about lift, maybe round and round suck and push?
 
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