Flight Mechanic

Aircraft Mechanic School Study Supplement for Future Aviation Maintenance Technicians




You are here: Home / Powerplants / Engine Maintenance and Operation
Regretfully, Flight-Mechanic will be turning out the lights after fifteen years. Google, in its infinite wisdom, has chosen to remove Flight-Mechanic from its search results (the claim is that the content on this site is spam). We appealed their decision to shut us down, to no avail.

Unfortunately, since Google has a monopoly over internet search, this means that traffic levels on the site will drop to a level that makes maintaining it uneconomic. As time progresses, we will no longer be able to maintain the server space and will remove the site from the internet. Thanks to all who have supported us over the years.

To fight back against the monopolistic practices of companies like Google, we recommend using a competing search engine such as Brave (you get the added benefit of not being spied on by Big Tech) and advocating for anti-trust legislation from your representatives.

Engine Maintenance and Operation

Both maintenance and complete engine overhauls are performed normally at specified intervals. This interval is usually governed by the number of hours the powerplant has been in operation. The actual overhaul period for a specific engine is generally determined by the manufacturer’s recommendations. Each engine manufacturer sets a total time in service when the engine should be removed from service and overhauled. Depending upon how the engine is used in service, the overhaul time can be mandatory. The overhaul time is listed in hours and is referred to as time before overhaul (TBO). For example, if an engine had a life of 2,000 hours and had operated 500 hours, it would have a TBO of 1,500 hours. Tests and experience have shown that operation beyond this period of time could result in certain parts being worn beyond their safe limits. For an overhauled engine to be as airworthy as a new one, worn parts, as well as damaged parts, must be detected and replaced during overhaul. The only way to detect all unairworthy parts is to perform a thorough and complete overhaul process while the engine is disassembled. The major purpose of overhaul is to inspect, repair, and replace worn engine parts.

Flight Mechanic Recommends

Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook -Flight Literacy recommends Rod Machado's products because he takes what is normally dry and tedious and transforms it with his characteristic humor, helping to keep you engaged and to retain the information longer. (see all of Rod Machado's Products).
   
-->