Ground School Class 1

The class is pretty small with only 4 students, so we should be able to get into topics in some detail. Topics included an overview of pilot training, pilot certification, medical certificates, aircraft certification and the various additional training and endorsements needed to fly different types aircraft such as multi-engine, high performance, complex and sea planes. We also did a brief overview of human factors (causes of human error) and physiology.

The Major Components

Then we jumped into the topic of aircraft components - with a brief overview of fuselage, monocoque and semi-monocoque construction, wings, control surfaces, landing gear, brakes and the power plant. Wrapping up this section was a discussion of the required paperwork that all planes need to have in them at all times.

Due to our small class size, we got thru that section pretty quickly and jumped ahead to the next section that got into more detail regarding the power plant. Basics of reciprocating engines, carburetors (and the dreaded carburetor ice). We very briefly discussed super chargers and turbo chargers and we started to cover the ignition system.

Magneto System

Ignition System
The ignition system in small aircraft doesn't require an electrical system. The system is driven by two separate magnetos that each power one of two sets of spark plugs. This provides a critical redundancy that will allow the engine to get operating even when one magneto fails. Pretty handy, huh? This also means that you want to make sure both magnetos are off if you're moving the propeller. It can suddenly fire the engine and...well you get the idea. The system is controlled by an ignition switch that can be switched from left, right and both magnetos. This allows the pilot to isolate each side of the system and is done so during the start-up procedure.

Next class we'll continue power plant systems and flight instruments.