General Engine Knowledge
What is the primary purpose of propulsion in a powered aircraft?
To overcome drag and allow the wings to generate lift to overcome weight
What type of engine do helicopters use?
Turboshaft engine
Rocket engine is the simplest way to combine what?
Oxygen and fuel
What applications are piston-powered engines used in?
Cars, lawnmowers and small aircraft
What principle do all propulsion systems rely on, according to Newton's third law of motion?
they all employ an equal and opposite reaction
What is the main application of ramjets engines?
Air-launched missiles
How do rocket engines differ from other propulsion systems in terms of their ability to operate in a vacuum?
Rocket engines have their own oxygen reserve so they can operate in outer space.
Do piston-powered engines direct their energy through moving machinery?
Yes
What is the most common vehicle engine of all?
Piston-powered engines
The most common variation of the gas turbine jet engine is the TURBOFAN, which is a hybrid of what?
Turbojet and turboprop
Why do fuel and oxygen need to be carefully calculated before launch?
You cannot get more fuel or oxygen in space.
Are piston-powered engines used in aircraft?
Only in small aircraft (Aircraft that need less than 400 horsepower)
What engine type was the first to be used for propulsion?
Rocket Engine
Why does a gas turbine jet engine need to have a starting motor?
A gas turbine jet engine needs to have a starting motor because, until the turbine and compressor are running, there is no high-pressure air to operate the engine.
How do rockets apply combustion's expanding gases in the most direct manner?
They simply eject them to get the equal and opposite reaction
What is the basic operation cycle in a four-stroke piston engine?
Intake, compression, power and exhaust (Suck, squeeze, bang, blow)
Why are all the engine types internal combustion engines?
all engine types use internal combustion to capture the energy of hot expanding gases in a closed container.
How do gas turbine jet engines differ from ramjets in terms of their operational requirements?
Gas turbines can start from rest, Ramjets need high velocity to begin combustion
What role does the nozzle play in a rocket engine's propulsion?
Converting the expanding gases into high-speed exhaust
Who were the first to use piston-powered internal combustion engines in aviation, and what year was their aircraft built?
Orville and Wilbur Wright, who designed their 1903 flyer with a four-cylinder piston-powered engine.