Chapter 2 – Airplane Systems Section A Airplanes

Major parts of an airplane Fuselage Wing Landing Gear Empennage Powerplant

Fuselage Open or enclosed truss Stressed skin structure Materials used Monocoque Semi-monocoque

Wings Monoplanes Biplanes Ailerons Flaps

Empennage Vertical stabilizer Horizontal stabilizer Stabilator Rudder Elevator Stabilator

Trim devices Trim tabs Anti-servo tab

Landing gear Main wheels Third wheel Tailwheel Nosewheel Conventional gear Nosewheel Tricycle gear

Landing gear Fixed gear Retractable gear Seaplanes Landing gear struts Floats Amphibians Landing gear struts Spring steel, bungee cord, oleo

Brakes Toe brakes on rudder pedals Parking brake Equal or differential braking Steering Parking brake Limit steering with brakes – use rudder pedals then brakes only if needed Don’t ride brakes – overheat Keep heels on floor

Powerplant Engine Propeller Firewall Cowling

Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Pilots Information Manual (PIM)

Contents of POH, AFM, PIM General Limitations Emergency procedures Where else can these be found? Emergency procedures Abnormal procedures Normal procedures Performance

Contents of POH, AFM, PIM Weight and balance Airplane and systems description Handling, service and maintenance Supplements Safety and operational tips

Chapter 2 – Airplane Systems Section B The Powerplant and Related Systems

Powerplant – Reciprocating Radial Horizontally opposed

Powerplant – turbine Turbojet Turboprop

Reciprocating Engines Pistons Crankshaft Connecting rods Valves

Four-stroke operating cycle Intake Compression Power Exhaust

Similar for turbine

Induction systems Air + fuel sent for combustion Intake port – filter and alternate Controls Throttle Mixture Propeller control

Carburetor

Leaning the mixture Higher altitudes – air less dense Mixture control in full rich position creates excessively rich mixture Reduce amount of fuel by leaning so fuel-to-air ratio remains constant Remember to enrich mixture when descending

Carburetor ice

Indications of Carburetor Ice Fixed pitch propeller – loss of R.P.M. Constant speed propeller – loss of manifold pressure

Carburetor heat

Indications when Carb heat is used Initially – drop in R.P.M. (hot air is less dense) Followed by gradual increase in R.P.M. as ice melts For constant speed prop – indications are reflected in manifold pressure

Fuel injection systems Less susceptible to icing More precise Use less fuel More horsepower More expensive Sensitive to contaminants More complex starting procedures – esp. when engine is hot

Fuel injection system

Supercharging - Turbocharging Increases power of engine Sea level performance at higher altitudes Supercharger – engine driven compressor Turbocharger – compressor driven by exhaust Usually fuel injected More finicky

Turbocharger

Ignition Two magnetos Spark plugs Wires Ignition switch

Ignition Two magnetos Two spark plugs in each cylinder Redundancy = safety Better combustion of fuel/air mixture

Ignition switch Off R L Both Start

Abnormal combustion Detonation – explosion instead of smooth burning of fuel Engine overheat Improper grade of fuel Preignition Fuel/air mixture ignites before normal timed ignition Residual hot spot Engine roughness

Fuel system

Fuel system Tanks Fuel quantity gauges Fuel selector valve Fuel strainer

Refuelling Ground wire Fuel grade – color coded Refill after last flight of day – reduces condensation

Oil systems

Cooling systems

High engine temps Loss of power High oil consumption Possible engine damage Reduce temps Enrich the mixture Reduce rate of climb Increase airspeed Reduce power

Engine cooling Cooling least effective Cowl flaps Takeoff Go-around Low airspeed/high power Cowl flaps Cylinder head temperature gauge

Exhaust system Vent burned gases overboard Heats cabin Defrost windscreen

Propellers

Types of propellers Climb props Cruise props Fixed-pitch props Constant-speed props Propeller control – r.p.m.

Propellers Hazards

Electrical systems Alternator Battery Ammeter Master switch Circuit breakers