power managment

• Engine instruments


  • Oil temp and pressure
  • Cylinder head temp
  • Exhaust gas temperature
  • Fuel pressure and flow
  • Tachometer for engine RPM and manifold pressure
• Oil pressure


  Crucial for lubrication and cooling, with limits set by manufacturer/POH
• Oil weight


  Affects pressure, with different requirements for summer and winter operations
• Oil temperature


  Must be in the green zone for proper lubrication
• Winter kits and regulating airflow

  • Aid in controlling oil temps
• Cylinder head temperature


  Vital to prevent metallurgical failure or deposits, essential for confirming effective leaning for best power or economy
• Exhaust gas temperature (EGT)


  Indicates optimal combustion temperature, lean mixtures lead to hotter EGT, peak EGT is crucial for proper leaning
• Fuel pressure and flow


  Directly measure engine power output, leaning towards peak EGT ensures smooth engine running
• Fuel metering in fuel-injected systems

  Using the venturi and differential pressure to measure mass airflow
• Venturi method


  Used for carbureted engines and some fuel-injected Lycomings
• TCM engines


  Use throttle, mixture control, RPM, and altitude compensators for fuel flow
• Engine RPM


  Determines power output, operating within RPM limits is crucial for engine longevity
• Manifold pressure gauges


  Lack pressure in normally aspirated engines, changes in pressure are due to ambient pressure, throttle position, and piston movement
• Throttle position


  Affects manifold pressure, at idle manifold pressure drops showing substantial suction
• Absolute pressure


  Referenced to a perfect vacuum
• During takeoff


  Manifold pressure should be monitored closely, frictional losses and ram effect impact manifold pressure readings
• Turbocharging


  Aims to increase power or efficiency without enlarging the powerplant, relies on manifold pressures greater than ambient
• Turbocharging


  Exhaust gases drive the turbine wheel, which powers the compressor to increase air intake, intercoolers reduce induction air temperatures for increased efficiency
• Turbo normalized systems


  Maintain sea level horsepower at higher altitudes, critical altitude marks the limit for maintaining maximum rated manifold pressure
• Automatic controllers


  Regulate turbo output based on pressure differentials
• Manual control systems


  Require pilot input to adjust manifold pressures
• Overshoot or overboost safeguards


  • Crucial to prevent engine damage, overboosting occurs when maximum manifold pressures are exceeded
• Next class will cover hydraulics, landing gear, and tires, including fluid power, hydraulic system components, tire types, construction, and inflation.