Book – ‘Aircraft Systems – 2nd Edition’ by David A. Lombardo

Description

This book focuses on “What You Need to Know About How Your Airplane Works” and includes info of practical value to the pilot. The aim of this book is to teach the pilot what he or she needs to know in order to understand and be able to safely operate the systems found in general aviation aircraft. Highly technical and theoretical discussions, which are of interest mainly to those designing or performing heavy maintenance to these systems, are avoided in favor of discussions covering the actual basic concepts and practical operating concerns that will help a pilot become more competent at operating the systems, perform better preflight inspections, recognize negative interactions between systems, and reduce maintenance problems through better communications with maintenance personnel. While the book doesn’t shy away from discussing technical details when appropriate, or at least providing the necessary overview of them, the intent is to provide a useful grounding in the systems with an eye towards enhancing overall flight safety and reducing maintenance costs. That being said, the information is presented in a very clear, direct, yet conversational style that will enhance learning and keep it from becoming tedious. There are many illustrations provided as well. This book is an excellent reference for both students and longtime pilots and reading the common-sense advice presented will be sure to make you a better and safer pilot, and help to prevent the expensive, inconvenient, or downright dangerous problems which so often occur because pilots and aircraft owners have incomplete or incorrect understanding of their aircraft’s many important systems. You’d have to be quite the expert in many areas NOT to learn a lot of useful things from this book!

Written by David A. Lombardo, Copyright 1999. ISBN 0-07-038605-6. Published by McGraw-Hill. 318 Pages, Softcover.

Chapters include:

Acknowledgments Introduction to the revised edition Introduction to the first edition 1. The Airframe The preflight inspection Conducting the exterior preflight Aircraft lighting Conducting an interior preflight Transparencies Emergency locator transmitters Aircraft antennas 2. Aircraft Instruments Pitot-static system Gyro instruments Magnetic compass 3. Aircraft Maintenance Typical component life expectancies Required maintenance Engine overhaul Determining aircraft or product airworthiness Aircraft parts Preventive maintenance Unscheduled maintenance 4. Powerplants Engine operational guidelines Engine cooling systems Engine ignition systems Engine temperature instruments Manifold pressure gauge Oil pressure gauge Tachometer Fuel quantity indicator Fuel flowmeter Preflight Troubleshooting Preventive maintenance 5. Lubricating Systems Types of oil Aircraft oil systems Preventive maintenance Oil analysis 6. Fuel Systems Chemistry of combustion Gravity feed versus pressure systems Fueling considerations Troubleshooting 7. Turbocharger Systems System overview High-altitude operations Misconceptions Controlling a turbocharger Heat problems Troubleshooting 8. Electrical Systems Electrical system theory Sources of electrical power The ground power unit The lead acid storage battery The NiCd battery The alternator Voltage regulators Electrical grounding The electrical bus Circuit protection Changing from DC to AC Starters Load shedding Preventive maintenance Troubleshooting

9. Propellers System overview Controlling propeller pitch Fixed-pitch propellers Constant-speed propeller Troubleshooting Preflight and runup Propeller maintenance Propellers and the FARs Preventive maintenance Preflight 10. Landing Gear Systems Tires Types of brakes 11. Environmental Systems Types of aircraft heaters Air conditioning 12. Pressurization Systems Fixed isobaric systems Variable isobaric systems Cabin air temperature The outflow valve Rapid depressurization Preflight and operational considerations Troubleshooting 13. De-icing and Anti-icing Systems De-icing versus anti-icing Electrothermal propeller de-icing Pneumatic de-icing systems The TKS weeping wing 14. Hydraulic Systems Open versus closed systems System components System applications Preflight inspection Preventive maintenance Troubleshooting 15. Pneumatic Systems Wet-pump systems Dry-pump systems Vacuum versus pressure systems Preflight Preventive maintenance Troubleshooting Glossary Index