Weeks Eighteen To Nineteen: Engines & Systems

Engines, Hydraulics, Pressurisation, the list goes on...

After a nice weekend at home we were straight back into the swing of things with the first two sub-topics of Aircraft General Knowledge: Engines & Systems. We covered a fair amount of the systems within both the engine and onboard the aircraft, so whether it's how we breathe at 36,000ft or the intricate parts of the landing gear, it's safe to safe we discussed it. With that said, you can probably guess that given the word 'General' and the 9 days it took to cover the content its' far from the level of understanding engineers would have. Even so, it was great to learn it and really started to link everything from previous modules together.

How hot?!!

Prior to starting in flight training I admired the marvels of engineering that went in to creating flight. I also knew jet engines used a "Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow" method but never took the time to really look in to it. Our instructor dubbed the jet engine as the marvel of the 20th century and I would have to agree with him having now learnt about it. I was simply amazed!! Who would have thought that the internal core of those engines runs at ~2000° celsius, that's well above many of the melting points for most of the metals used in their construction! The brain power that has gone in to producing them is amazing! 

What's more, hydraulics, pressurisation, air condition (to an extent) and other systems are all run from the gearboxes and bleed air valves. If you're interested in learning more, BBC FOUR actually ran a good documentary on Rolls Royce engines. At the time of writing you can find it on iPlayer called "How to build.. Jet engines".

What exactly was covered?

Engines

• Piston Engine
• Supercharging
• Diesel Engine
• Propeller Aerodynamics & Systems
• Gas Turbines
• Auxiliary Power Unit

Systems

• Airframe Designs and Materials
• Aircraft Construction
• Subsidiary Airframe Structures
• Hydraulic System Principles
• Hydraulic Systems
• The Landing Gear
• Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
• Primary & Secondary Flight Controls
• Pneumatic Systems
• Cabin Conditioning & Pressurisation
• Anti-Icing, De-icing & Rain Protection
• Fuel Systems
• Fire, Smoke Protection & Detection
• Oxygen Systems

 Whoo.. Christmas Break.

Today marked the last day of teaching in Ground School before our Christmas break and I've never looked forward to having some time off as much as I have at this point. Ground School has been exhausting. I can't help but feel that having time off in my mind has added to exhaustion levels, like an illusion, but either way I get to spend just over a week with my family. The majority of my extended family are down at certain points between now and New Year and it will nice to see all of them. :-)

The New Year...

We kick off the New Year with a new subject, Air Law, and will return to be taught the final Aircraft General Knowledge sub-topic of Electrics, at a later date. We also have our visa appointments at the US Embassy in London and it'll be good to get that out of the way. The end of Ground School is in sight now with our final exams being in mid-February and our flights in early March. With that said, there's still a lot of work to be done between now and then. 

I would like to wish all readers a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year and I'll be back with more content in the New Year,

Until then, All the best,

George.