AIRCRAFT ENGINES AND SYSTEMS

PRINCIPLES OF GAS TURBINE OPERATION

ELO 3.1 Explain the relationship between static pressure, dynamic pressure and total pressure.

ELO 3.2 State Bernoulli’s theorem.

BERNOULLI’S THEOREM

ELO 3.3 Describe the behavior of subsonic airflow in a nozzle and diffuser.

ELO 3.4 Describe the behavior of supersonic airflow in a nozzle and diffuser.

ELO 3.5 Identify the three main sections of a gas generator.

ELO 3.6 Describe the Brayton Cycle.

ELO 3.7 Describe the basic components and operation of the gas generator.

ELO 3.8 Describe how pressure, temperature, and velocity changes through each section of a gas turbine engine.

PRESSURE

TEMPERATURE

VELOCITY

ELO 3.9 Describe gross thrust and net thrust.

GROSS THRUST

NET THRUST

ELO 3.10 Describe how atmospheric temperature effects thrust in a gas turbine engine.

ELO 3.11 Describe how atmospheric pressure effects thrust in a gas turbine engine.

ELO 3.12 Describe how altitude effects thrust.

ELO 3.13 Describe the effect of airspeed on thrust.

ELO 3.14 Describe the effect of ram effect on thrust.

ELO 3.15 Identify the cockpit instrument that measures thrust in a typical turbojet, turbofan, turboprop, and turboshaft.

 

GAS TURBINE ENGINES

ELO 3.16 Describe purpose and the types of inlet ducts.

ELO 3.17 State the operation and shape of subsonic and supersonic inlet ducts.

SUBSONIC INLETS

SUPERSONIC INLETS

ELO 3.18 State the function of a variable geometry inlet duct.

ELO 3.19 State the function of the compressor section.

ELO 3.20 Describe the three types of compressors used in gas turbine engines, including their advantages and disadvantages.

CENTRIFUGAL FLOW COMPRESSOR

AXIAL-FLOW COMPRESSOR

DUAL SPOOL AXIAL FLOW COMPRESSORS

AXIAL-CENTRIFUGAL FLOW COMPRESSOR

ELO 3.21 State the function of the burner section.

ELO 3.22 Describe the three types of combustion chambers used in gas turbine engines, including their advantages and disadvantages.

CAN COMBUSTION CHAMBER

ANNULAR COMBUSTION CHAMBER

CAN-ANNULAR TYPE

ELO 3.23 State the function of the turbine section.

ELO 3.24 State the effects of thermal stress on turbine components.

ELO 3.25 Define "fir tree" and "creep".

FIR TREE

CREEP

ELO 3.26 Explain how heat and potential energy are converted into mechanical energy in the turbine section.

ELO 3.27 State the function of the exhaust section.

ELO 3.28 Describe subsonic and supersonic exhaust nozzles.

SUBSONIC EXHAUST NOZZLE

SUPERSONIC EXHAUST NOZZLE

ELO 3.29 State the function of the afterburner.

ELO 3.30 Describe the components and operation of the afterburner.

 

COMPRESSOR STALLS

ELO 3.31 Name two vector components that make up the relative wind in the compressor.

ELO 3.32 Describe a compressor stall.

ELO 3.33 Describe the angle of attack of compressor blades and the two factors that determine it.

ELO 3.34 Identify the indications of a compressor stall.

ELO 3.35 Identify the two main causes of a compressor stall.

ELO 3.36 Describe how airflow distortions can cause compressor stalls.

ELO 3.37 Describe the four possible mechanical malfunctions that can lead to compressor stall.

VARIABLE INLET GUIDE VANE (IGV) AND STATOR VANE FAILURE

FUEL CONTROL UNIT (FCU) FAILURE

FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE (FOD)

VARIABLE EXHAUST NOZZLE FAILURE

ELO 3.38 Describe what a pilot can do to minimize the potential of a compressor stall.

ELO 3.39 Describe the four components that can be incorporated into an engine design to minimize the potential of a compressor stall.

VARIABLE INLET GUIDES AND STATORS

SPLIT SPOOL

BLEED VALVES

VARIABLE EXHAUST NOZZLE

ELO 3.40 State the steps to be taken if a compressor stall occurs.

 

TURBOJET AND TURBOFAN ENGINES

ELO 3.41 Identify the components of a turbojet engine.

ELO 3.42 Define thrust specific fuel consumption (TSFC).

THRUST SPECIFIC FUEL CONSUMPTION (TSFC)

ELO 3.43 Describe the operation of a turbojet.

ELO 3.44 Compare the propulsive efficiencies of a turbojet, turbofan, and a turboprop.

ELO 3.45 Compare TSFC of a turbojet with a turbofan.

ELO 3.46 Describe the characteristics of a turbojet engine.

ELO 3.47 Identify the components of a turbofan engine.

ELO 3.48 Describe the basic operation of the turbofan engine.

ELO 3.49 Describe the characteristics of a turbofan engine.

ELO 3.50 State the average percentage of total thrust produced by the fan.

ELO 3.51 State the average percentage of total thrust produced by the exhaust gases of the gas generator on a turbofan engine.

ELO 3.52 Explain how the fan is driven by the turbine section.

ELO 3.53 Define bypass ratio.

BYPASS RATIO

ELO 3.54 Explain how bypass ratio effects a turbofan engine’s TSFC.

 

TURBOPROP AND TURBOSHAFT ENGINES

ELO 3.55 Describe the basic construction of a turboprop engine.

ELO 3.56 Explain how a turboprop produces thrust.

ELO 3.57 Define the major components of the propeller assembly.

BLADES

HUB

PITCH CHANGE/DOME ASSEMBLY

ELO 3.58 Describe the purpose and operation of the reduction gear box used on a turboprop engine.

ELO 3.59 Describe the major components and their operation of the torquemeter assembly.

ELO 3.60 State the two main ways the propeller assembly may be connected to the gas generator.

ELO 3.61 Describe the operation and characteristics of a turboprop engine.

ELO 3.62 Describe the alpha range and beta range operations of the propeller.

ALPHA RANGE

BETA RANGE

ELO 3.63 Describe the construction of a turboshaft engine.

ELO 3.64 Describe the operation of the free/power turbine section.

ELO 3.65 Explain how the turboshaft produces thrust.

 

HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS

ELO 3.66 Explain Pascal’s Law.

ELO 3.67 Define force, pressure, and area.

FORCE

PRESSURE

AREA

ELO 3.68 Explain how force, pressure, and area relate to the hydraulic theory.

ELO 3.69 Explain the relationship between linear displacement and the change of force between the input and output pistons of a closed hydraulic system.

ELO 3.70 Explain why hydraulic systems are required on aircraft.

ELO 3.71 Describe the function of the basic hydraulic components used on aircraft.

RESERVOIR

PUMPS

PRESSURE REGULATOR / UNLOADER VALVE

CHECK VALVE

ACCUMULATOR

FILTERS

RELIEF VALVES

PRESSURE GAUGE

PRESSURE SWITCHES

HYDRAULIC FUSES

SELECTOR CONTROL VALVES

ACTUATORS

ELO 3.72 Describe the operation of a basic aircraft hydraulic system.

 

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

ELO 3.73 Describe the two forms of electricity.

AC

DC

ELO 3.74 Explain why AC electrical systems are preferred over DC systems.

ELO 3.75 Explain the function of several aircraft electrical system components.

GENERATORS

INVERTER

TRANSFORMER RECTIFIER (TR)

BATTERY

ELO 3.76 Describe the electrical distribution network.

ELO 3.77 Describe the operation of a basic aircraft electrical system.

 

FUEL SYSTEMS

ELO 3.78 Define volatility and flashpoint.

VOLATILITY

FLASHPOINT

ELO 3.79 Describe the relationship between temperature, volatility, and flashpoint.

ELO 3.80 State the characteristics of common military aviation fuels.

JP-4 (NATO CODE F-40)

JP-5 (NATO CODE F-44)

JP-8 (NATO CODE F-34)

ELO 3.81 Describe the function of the aircraft fuel system components.

FUEL TANK

BOOST PUMP

CROSSFEED

EMERGENCY SHUTOFF VALVE

FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE

LOW PRESSURE FUEL FILTER

ENGINE-DRIVEN PUMP

FUEL CONTROL UNIT (FCU)

ELO 3.82 Describe the three types of thrust ratings.

NORMAL RATED THRUST (NRT)

MILITARY RATED THRUST (MRT)

COMBAT RELATED THRUST (CRT)

ELO 3.83 Explain the operation of an afterburner fuel system.

ELO 3.84 Explain the operation of an afterburner fuel control unit.

 

LUBRICANTS AND LUBRICATION SYSTEMS

ELO 3.85 Describe the characteristics of synthetic lubricants.

ELO 3.86 Define viscosity.

VISCOSITY

ELO 3.87 Describe the functions of lubricants.

LUBRICATION

COOLING

CLEANING

ELO 3.88 Describe the operation of a basic aircraft lubrication system.

ELO 3.89 Describe the functions of the three subsystems of the aircraft lubrication system.

WET SUMP SYSTEM

DRY SUMP SYSTEM

PRESSURE SUBSYSTEM

ELO 3.90 Describe the function of basic lubrication system components used on aircraft.

OIL PUMP

GAUGES

FILTERS

SCAVENGE SUBSYSTEM

BREATHER PRESSURIZING SUBSYSTEM

 

ACCESSORY, STARTER AND IGNITION SYSTEMS

ELO 3.91 Describe the types of accessories used on aircraft.

ELO 3.92 Describe how the accessories are driven.

BLEED AIR-DRIVEN

MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN

ELO 3.93 Define interstage bleed air.

INTERSTAGE BLEED AIR

ELO 3.94 Describe the starting sequence for a gas turbine.

ELO 3.95 Describe the four types of abdominal starts.

HOT START

HUNG START

FALSE START

WET START

ELO 3.96 Describe a DC Electric starter.

ELO 3.97 Describe an Air Turbine Starter.

ELO 3.98 Describe a basic aircraft ignition system.

ELO 3.99 Describe the two types of ignitors.

ANNULAR-GAP

CONSTRAINED-GAP