4th Edition. — Oxford Aviation Academy Limited, 2008. — 472 p.Suitable for students studying for the ATPL Theoretical Examinations.
Contains specimen examination and test questions and answers.
Man's early attempt at powered flight was thwarted by the lack of a suitable engine to provide the necessary power. The steam engine widely in use at the time was heavy and inefficient. Combustion took place outside of the engine and much of the heat energy produced was wasted to the atmosphere.
In 1876 Beau de Rochas developed an engine where the combustion process took place inside the engine, but it was Dr 'Otto' who first succeeded in producing a working engine based on the principle. The principle of operation of the engine is accomplished by inducing a mixture of air and fuel into a cylinder, which is then compressed by a piston. The mixture is ignited and the rapid rise in temperature causes the gas pressure in the cylinder to rise and forces the piston down the cylinder. Linear movement of the piston is converted into rotary motion by a connecting rod and crankshaft. The burnt gases are then exhausted to atmosphere. The engine converts heat energy into mechanical energy.
Internal Combustion Engines fall into three main categories, compression ignition engines (Diesels) Two stroke and Four stroke spark ignition engines and Wankel rotary engines. These notes cover in detail the construction and operation of the four stroke engine which is commonly used in aviation, and generally referred to as the Piston Engine.
