Aircraft Propulsion Systems

The subject covers basic issues related to the construction, principles of design and operation of aircraft powerplants. It contains information on typical and specific design solutions as well as conditions and principles of operation of aircraft engines, their systems and units.

Lectures / verbal-visual method, using modern multimedia techniques - presentations with illustrations and diagrams of exemplary solutions and real objects - aircraft engines and their cross-sections, units and their cross-sections, parts, etc. Providing content for independent study in order to consolidate knowledge determined by the outcomes W1÷W6.

Aircraft powerplants:

1. Working conditions and requirements for aircraft power units (1 hour).

2. Basic types of aircraft powerplants and safety rules (1 hour).

Aviation turbine engines:

3. Aviation turbine engines (2 hours)

Types, applications, structural layouts.

4. Rotors (2 hours)

Constructional arrangement of rotors and principles of their supporting. Attaching the blades to disk and drum rotors. Bearings and seals. Critical rotational speeds of rotors. Rotors balancing.

5. Inlets (2 hours)

Compressor inlet ducts. Effects of various inlet configurations. Inlet particle separators. Icing and ice protecion.

6. Compressors (2 hours)

Constructional features and applications of axial, radial, diagonal and axial-radial compressors. Methods of reducing the noise level of fans. Fan balancing. Causes and effects of compressor stall and surge. Air flow control - variable inlet guide vanes, bleed valves, variable stator vanes, rotating stator blades, multi-rotor systems. Operation of engine air distribution and anti-ice control systems, including internal cooling, sealing and external air services.

7. Combustion chambers and afterburners (2 hours)

Constructional features of combustion chambers and afterburners.

8. Turbines (2 hours)

Constructional features of turbines and methods of cooling turbine blades, nozzle vanes and disks. Blade to disk attachments. Causes and effects of turbine blade ond disk stress and creep. Active clearence control.

9. Exhaust systems (1 hours)

Constructional fetures of fixed and variable area convergent, convergent-divergent and divergent exhausts. Thrust vector control methods.

Engine noise reduction. Thrust reversers.

10. Auxiliary power units (1 hour)

Purpose, operation, constructional features, protective systems.

11. Turboprop and turboshaft engines (1 hour)

Arrangements. Gas coupled free turbine and gear coupled turbine. Reduction gearing, drive units, couplings.

12. Fuel systems (1 hour)

Systems lay-out nad components. Fuels (types, additives, safety rules).

13. Lubrication systems (2 hours)

System operation, lay-out and components. Oils used in turbine engines.

14. Ignition and starting systems (2 hours)

Operation of ignition and starting systems and components. Starting engines on the ground and in the air. Maintenance safety requirements.

15. Fire protection and special installations (1 hour)

Operation of detection and extinguishing systems. Water injection, water methanol, oxygen systems.

16. Engine indication systems (1 hour)

Systems for indicating operating parameters of aircraft engines: exhaust gas temperature, insterstage turbine temperature, engine thrust indication (Engine Pressure Ratio, engine turbine discharge pressure or nozzle pressure systems), rotor speed, oil pressure and temperature, fuel pressure and flow, vibration measurement nad indication, torque, power.

17. Controls (4 hours)

Engine control systems and fuel metering including hydromechanical/hydropneumatical and electronic (FADEC) control systems for jet, turboprop and turboshaft engines. Integrated engine and propeller control. Systems lay-out and components. Overspeed safety devices.

18. Powerplant Installation (1 hour)

Configuration of firewalls, cowlings, acoustic panels, engine mounts, anti-vibration mounts, hoses, pipes, feeders, connectors, wiring looms, control cables and rods, lifting points, drains.

19. Engine Monitoring and Ground Operation. Storage and Preservation (3 hours)

Procedures for starting and ground run-up. Interpretation of engine power output and parameters. Trend monitoring (including oil analysis, vibration, temperature). Typical malfunctions of aircraft turbine engines and their components. Borescope. Inspection of engine and components to criteria, tolerances and data specified by engine manufacturer. Compressor washing and cleaning. Storage of engines, preservation and depreservation for the engine and accesorries / systems.

Aviation piston engines:

20. Basics of construction and operation of aircraft piston engines (4 hours)

Configuration and firing order, constructional features of basic parts: crankcase and oil sumps, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons and

cylinders, timing, intake and exhaust system, drive boxes and reduction gears. Engine fuel , control and lubrication systems. Starting and ignition systems.

Exercises / solving tasks using theoretical knowledge of individual topics - a verbal-practical method, consisting in group and individual

solving of tasks in order to consolidate the knowledge determined by the W1÷W6 outcomes and master the U1÷U5 skills.

1. Analysis of aviation engine documentation (2 hours)

Analysis of the construction of aircraft engines, their installations and components, as well as the principles of their operation based on selected examples included in the documentation.

2. Calculations of load-bearing discs and drums (4 hours)

Load calculations and strength calculations of load-bearing discs and drums.

3. Calculations of guide and rotor blades (4 hours)

Load calculations and strength calculations of guide and rotor blades.

4. Calculations of critical rotational speeds of rotors (4 hours)

Calculations of critical rotational speeds of rotors with rigid and flexible supports.

5. Analysis of the construction of selected turbine engines (4 hours)

Analysis of the construction of selected turbine engines, their installations, and components based on real engine examples and their cross-sections.

Piston engine.

6. Rotor balancing (4 hours)

Calculations related to balancing the engine fan rotor.

7. Determining the allowable temperature before the turbine (4 hours)

Determining the allowable temperature before the turbine based on the instructions and engine operating documentation.

8. Engine start-up (2 hours)

Determining the parameters of the turbine engine starting system.

9. Tip clearances (4 hours)

Calculations of changes in tip clearance values.

10. Forecasting engine component wear (4 hours)

Calculations related to determining the projected wear of the shaft journal.

Laboratory exercises / performing practical tasks using theoretical knowledge from individual topics – laboratory method, involving conducting experiments in groups, analyzing their results, and preparing reports to consolidate knowledge specified by outcomes W1–W4 and to master skills U1–U5 and competences K1.

1. Analysis of flight parameter recorder data (4 hours)

Analysis of the operating parameters of the propulsion system based on data from the onboard flight parameter recorder.

2. Analysis of the dynamic properties of typical aircraft engine parts (4 hours)

Determining the frequencies and modes of natural vibrations of a blade.

3. Verification of the technical condition of aircraft engine components (4 hours)

Verification of the technical condition of selected aircraft engine components in accordance with its documentation.

4. Determining the characteristics of an aircraft propulsion system (4 hours)

Determining the characteristics of a selected type of aircraft propulsion system.

Basic:

• Chachurski R., Aircraft Powerplants, materials for lectures, MUT

• FAA-H-8083-32B, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Powerplant, FAA, 2023

Additional:

• Treager I., Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Technology, Glencowe Aviation Technology Series, McGraw-Hill

• Kroes M.J., Wild T. W., Bent R. D., McKinley J. L., Aircraft Powerplants, Glencowe, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

• A&P Technician Powerplant Textbook, Jeppesen

• Otis C. E., Vosbury P. A., Aircraft Gas Trurbine Powerplants, Jeppesen

• technical descriptions and operating instructions for engines and aircraft of various types

• Łagosz M., Szczeciński S., Konstrukcja Silników Lotniczych. Wybrane zagadnienia wytrzymałości i dynamiki konstrukcji, WAT,

Warszawa 1984

Module effect symbol and no. / learning outcome / directional effect reference:

W1 / In relation to aircraft drives, has structured and theoretically based knowledge of the basics of machine construction and material

strength, as well as engineering graphics and construction notation / K_W07.

W2 / Has structured and theoretically based knowledge in the field of fluid mechanics and flight mechanics in relation to key construction

and operational issues of aircraft, in particular their power units / K_W08.

W3 / Has structured knowledge in the field of aviation materials and aviation and space technologies used in power units / K_W10.

W4 / Has structured knowledge of the construction and design of aircraft and spacecraft and on-board equipment, including on-board

systems, systems and installations in relation to power units / K_W13.

W5 / Has detailed knowledge of the operation of aircraft, including knowledge necessary to understand the physical basis of operation of

aircraft components, systems, devices, installations and systems, in particular in the field of aircraft drives / K_W14.

W6 / Is aware of the current state and the latest development trends in aviation and space technology in relation to power units / K_W15.

U1 / Has the ability to self-educate, including: in order to improve professional competences / K_U04.

U2 / Is able to use properly selected methods and devices to plan and measure basic quantities characterizing aircraft elements, systems,

devices and installations / K_U06.

U3 / Is able to compare design solutions of aircraft systems, devices and installations depending on the type of mission and given

operational, economic and safety criteria, and is able to solve technical tasks in the area of ​preliminary or conceptual design of an aircraft,

on-board system, on-board installation design, technology proposal manufacturing, repairs and maintenance procedures / K_U11.

U4 / Is able to operate aircraft subsystems in accordance with the required continuing airworthiness regulations, knows the safety rules

applicable to such work / K_U12.

U5 / Is able to critically analyze the functioning of existing technical solutions and evaluate these solutions / K_U18.

The subject is assessed on the basis of: examination.

The classes are assessed on the basis of: pass with grade.

The exam in the subject is conducted in the form of: a written test checking knowledge with closed tasks and an oral answer.

The condition for admission to the exam is: passing the exercises with a grade of 3 (dst) or higher.

Passing the exercises is based on: the average of the grades obtained for solving individual accounting tasks and the average

from the grades obtained for the implementation of individual practical exercises.

Effects W1-W6 and U1, U3, U5 - are checked during the exam in the subject and when solving tasks during accounting exercises and analyzes carried out during practical exercises.

U2, U4 effects - are checked during practical exercises.

Implementation of the above-mentioned program content and obtaining the above-mentioned learning outcomes provides the student with

the knowledge necessary to pass the test examination in the M15 Aircraft Turbine Engines module in accordance with the PART 66

requirements specifying the conditions for obtaining a license for aircraft and helicopter maintenance personnel for category B1, and

preliminarily prepares him/her to pass the test examination in the M16 Aircraft Piston Engines module in accordance with PART 66

requirements specifying the conditions for obtaining licenses for aircraft and helicopter maintenance personnel for categories B1 and B3.

A very good grade is awarded to a student who:

1. Provides 95.01% to 100% correct answers to the M15 Air Turbine Engines test exam in accordance with PART 66 requirements

2. Provides at least 75.00% correct answers to the M16 Aircraft Piston Engines test exam in accordance with PART 66 requirements.

3. Is able to describe in detail the engine or its component or unit and their operation based on a technical drawing, photo, real object or its

cross-section, using appropriate terminology.

4. Can draw simple drawings or diagrams to explain the structure of an engine, component, unit, installation or system.

5. Can give typical examples of specific types of engines, installations or units or parts.

6. Knows and is able to state the influence of loads, flight conditions, laws of physics, etc. on the structure and operation of the engine or

its components (installations).

7. Is able to draw load and stress patterns in typical engine components.

8. Is able to write basic relationships useful for calculating loads and stresses in basic engine parts.

9. Is able to determine the stress distributions in the rotating elements of the engine and calculate the critical rotational speeds of the

rotors, taking into account the compliance of supports and gyroscopic moments.

10. Can correctly solve 91-100% of accounting tasks performed during accounting exercises.

A good plus grade is awarded to a student who:

1. Provides 90.01% to 95.00% correct answers to the M15 Air Turbine Engines test exam in accordance with PART 66 requirements.

2. Is able to describe in detail the engine or its component or unit and their operation based on a technical drawing, photo, real object or its

cross-section, using appropriate terminology.

3. Can draw simple drawings or diagrams to explain the structure of an engine, component, unit, installation or system.

4. Can give typical examples of specific types of engines, installations or units or parts.

5. Knows and is able to state the influence of loads, flight conditions, laws of physics, etc. on the structure and operation of the engine or

its components (installations).

6. Is able to draw load and stress patterns in typical engine components.

7. Is able to write basic relationships useful for calculating loads and stresses in basic engine parts.

8. Is able to determine the stress distributions in the rotating elements of the engine and calculate the critical rotational speeds of the

rotors, taking into account the compliance of the supports.

9. Can correctly solve 81-90% of accounting tasks performed during accounting exercises.

A good grade is awarded to a student who:

1. Provides 85.01% to 90.00% correct answers to the M15 Air Turbine Engines test exam in accordance with PART 66 requirements.

2. Is able to describe in detail the engine or its component or unit and their operation based on a technical drawing, photo, real object or its

cross-section, using appropriate terminology.

3. Can draw simple drawings or diagrams to explain the structure of an engine, component, unit, installation or system.

4. Can give typical examples of specific types of engines, installations or units or parts.

5. Knows and is able to state the influence of loads, flight conditions, laws of physics, etc. on the structure and operation of the engine or

its components (installations).

6. Is able to draw load and stress patterns in typical engine components.

7. Is able to determine the stress distributions in the rotating elements of the engine and calculate the critical rotational speeds of rotors on

rigid supports.

8. Can correctly solve 71-80% of accounting tasks performed during accounting exercises.

A satisfactory plus grade is awarded to a student who:

1. Provides 80.01% to 85.00% correct answers to the M15 Air Turbine Engines test exam in accordance with PART 66 requirements.

2. Is able to describe in detail the engine or its component or unit and their operation based on a technical drawing, photo, real object or its

cross-section, using appropriate terminology.

3. Can draw simple drawings or diagrams to explain the structure of an engine, component, unit, installation or system.

4. Can give typical examples of specific types of engines, installations or units or parts.

5. Is able to draw load and stress patterns in typical engine components.

6. Is able to determine the stress distributions in the rotating elements of the engine and calculate the critical rotational speeds of rotors on

rigid supports.

7. Can correctly solve 61-70% of accounting tasks performed during accounting exercises.

A satisfactory grade is awarded to a student who:

1. Provides 75.00% to 80.00% correct answers to the M15 Air Turbine Engines test exam in accordance with PART 66 requirements.

2. Is able to generally describe the engine or its component or unit and their operation based on a technical drawing, photo, real object or

its cross-section, using appropriate terminology.

3. Can draw simple drawings or diagrams to explain the structure of an engine, component, unit, installation or system.

4. Can give typical examples of specific types of engines, installations or units or parts.

5. Is able to draw load and stress patterns in typical engine components.

6. Is able to determine the stress distributions in the rotating elements of the engine and calculate the critical rotational speeds of rotors on

rigid supports.

7. Can correctly solve 51-60% of accounting tasks performed during accounting exercises.

A non satisfactory grade is awarded to a student who:

1. Provides less than 75.00% correct answers to the M15 Air Turbine Engines test exam in accordance with PART 66 requirements.

2. Is unable to generally describe the engine or its component or unit and their operation based on a technical drawing, photo, real object

or its cross-section using appropriate terminology.

3. Is unable to draw simple drawings or diagrams to explain the structure of an engine, component, unit, installation or system.

4. Is unable to provide typical examples of specific types of engines, installations or units or parts.

5. Is unable to draw load and stress patterns in typical engine components.

6. Is unable to determine the stress distributions in the rotating elements of the engine and calculate the critical rotational speeds of rotors

on rigid supports.

7. Can correctly solve no more than 50% of accounting tasks performed during accounting exercises.

Not applicable.