Reciprocating Engine Systems, Book Review Example

Chapter five specifically intends to address the different considerations and procedures given attention to when reciprocating engine systems. Giving attention to three particular systems such as the induction system, fuel metering system and the ignition system, this chapter opens up the thinking and the process of understanding of readers towards how the engine of an air vessel actually works. To make the discussion much more helpful and relatively effective in presenting the different facts that are helpful towards instructing a person become more competent in operating the engine of an aircraft, the chapter is further divided within different subtopics.

It could be learned through this chapter that there are different procedures of investigation that needs to be given attention to even before an aircraft is ready for takeoff. The section on the investigation if naturally aspirated induction system imposes that the operation of an aircraft strongly depends on the manner by which the airflow is checked and any particular blockage is removed to assure safe flight. It is indicated in this section that even a single blockage in the air passage way could cause specific problems and likely even cost the lives of many passengers if it indeed crashes.

The chapter overall discusses the different procedures of aircraft operation that would assure safe navigation on air. It basically implicates that somehow, the consideration by which operators of aircrafts specifically give attention to the integrity of the function of all three key systems give a great distinction on how an aircraft could actually fair on air this making it capable of sending passengers from one destination towards another. The chapter’s focus on the presentation of the different formulas that are able to define the procedures that aircraft operators should take into consideration before any scheduled takeoff. One particular formula noted in the chapter is the PLANK operation which identifies the indicated horsepower of the aircraft. Each letter defines particular note on what specific element is supposed to be checked in relation to assuring good horsepower of the aircraft. P refers to the indicated mean power effective pressure, L for length of stroke in inches , A for the area of piston in square inches, N for the number of working strokes per cylinder and K for the number of cylinders that are working in the engine. The manner by which all these elements are checked shall create a good record on whether or not an engine is able to handle specific operation for actual takeoff.

Through checking within the recorded operations of the systems included in this chapter, it is imposed that investigations on aircraft accidents would be able to determine which specific areas of the aircraft operating parts actually caused the accident. Notably, being able to know how each system functions and how their functional conditions are measured shall give investigators a heads up on how each system is supposed to appear after an accident and what specific anomalies indicate a particular problem which may have lead to the development of the conditions causing the accident.

Overall, this chapter helps in providing aircraft operators and engineers a proper source of knowledge on understanding how an aircraft’s engine works and how it could be controlled for an assured safe flight. On the other end, it also gives aircraft accident investigators to understand and develop considerations indicating how an accident could actually occur and what could have prevented the situation from occurring, which could help on developing better options of safety precautions for future cases of aircraft operations. This is expected to improve the ways by which aircrafts are operated and maintained for better safety of transportation.

References:

Crane, Dale. (1997). Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition, page 194. Aviation Supplies & Academics.

Dee, Richard (2007). The Man who Discovered Flight: George Cayley and the First Airplane. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart.

Gunston, Bill (1987). Jane’s Aerospace Dictionary 1987. London, England: Jane’s Publishing Company Limited.

Hatfield, Kenneth K. (2003). “Heartland heroes: remembering World War II.” p.91.