Lesson 2.8 Airplane Ignition Systems

1. Dual ignition systems provide improved combustion of the fuel/air mixture.
2. Aircraft magnetos generate their own electricity by self-contained magnets.
3. An engine that continues to run after the ignition switch has been turned off probably has a broken or disconnected ground wire between the magneto and the ignition switch.
a. Thus, a potentially dangerous situation exists because the engine could accidentally start if the propeller is moved with fuel in the cylinder.
4. A good practice before shutdown is to idle the engine and momentarily turn the ignition off.
5. Rapid opening and closing of the throttle may cause detuning of engine crankshaft counterweights (throwing the crankshaft out of balance).