The student will receive instruction on aircraft systems.

The student should have a full understanding of aircraft systems.

• Propeller Aerodynamics
  • Tach
  • Constant Speed Setup

Magnetos & function

Spark plugs

Two types of induction systems are commonly used in small aircraft engines:

1. The carburetor system mixes the fuel and air in the carburetor before this mixture enters the intake manifold.
2. The fuel injection system mixes the fuel and air immediately before entry into each cylinder or injects fuel directly into each cylinder.

• Induction icing
• Carburetor Operation and Carburetor Heat

The use of carburetor heat causes a decrease in engine power, sometimes up to 15 percent, because the heated air is less dense than the outside air that had been entering the engine. This enriches the mixture. When ice is present in an aircraft with a fixed-pitch propeller and carburetor heat is being used, there is a decrease in rpm, followed by a gradual increase in rpm as the ice melts.

C172N Fuel System Diagram

• Fuel Injection Systems

A fuel injection system usually incorporates six basic components: an engine-driven fuel pump, a fuel-air control unit, a fuel manifold (fuel distributor), discharge nozzles, an auxiliary fuel pump, and fuel pressure/flow indicators.

C172R Fuel Selector

C172R Fuel System

The following are advantages of using fuel injection:

1. Reduction in evaporative icing
2. Better fuel flow
3. Faster throttle response
4. Precise control of mixture
5. Better fuel distribution
6. Easier cold weather starts

The following are disadvantages of using fuel injection:

1. Difficulty in starting a hot engine
2. Vapor locks during ground operations on hot days
3. Problems associated with restarting an engine that quits because of fuel starvation

• Oil Temp, Oil Cooling

• How disc brakes work

• Carburetor
• Fuel Injection (Fuel pumps, fuel distribution manifold)

• Antennas
• Transponder / ADS-B

• Pitot/Static System
• Electric instruments
• Vacuum system & instruments
  • Suction/Vac guage
  • Vacuum loss indications

• Cabin Heat – exhaust manifold similar to a car
• Overhead vents
• Cabin air vent (right side)

Cessna 172P POH (Sample)

C172SP Systems