One of the oldest and most trusted components of aircraft is magneto technology. While you may be unfamiliar with magnetos, for decades they have been an integral part of the aviation industry. An aircraft magneto is a self-contained generator that uses permanent magnets and coils to produce high voltage to start-up the aircraft spark plugs. The magnets spin within close proximity to a coil of wire, which generates a strong magnetic force that is contained by a primary coil. The moment contact points open, the magnetic flow produces a high voltage in the secondary coil, the spark plug is ignited, and the engine starts to run. While this may seem like a straightforward process, there are instances where this operation does not run as smoothly, causing the magneto to fail. For this reason, we will be covering the common faults with magnetos and troubleshooting methods in the case that a magneto fails.

A crankshaft, or a driving rod, is a pivoting shaft which changes over responding movement of the cylinders into rotational movement. Crankshafts are normally utilized in inner ignition motors and comprise a progression of wrenches and crankpins to which the associating poles are joined.

Avionics radios are extremely important for the safety of any aircraft and pilot during flight operations. Aircraft radios allow for navigation during flight and establish two way communication with flight controllers and personnel. While most aircraft are designed with a panel mount radio for navigation and communication already installed, it is highly recommended to also have a handheld radio on hand for emergency purposes. Some aircraft also may not have panel mount radios installed, thus avionics handheld radios can be a cost effective entry to provide the radio functionalities needed for safe flying. Lastly, students can also benefit from handheld radios to train and familiarize themselves with radio communication. In this article, we will discuss avionics handheld radios, as well as important information on their types and components to help you familiarize yourself with them.