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Aircraft Engine Instrumentation Knowledge Test Quiz

Assess Your Aircraft Engine Gauge Knowledge Today

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art quiz banner on Aircraft Engine Instrumentation Knowledge Test

Dive into the Aircraft Engine Instrumentation Knowledge Test, a focused quiz designed for aviation enthusiasts and maintenance professionals to assess their instrument gauge skills. Participants will challenge their understanding of pressure, temperature, and rotational speed indicators while unlocking practical troubleshooting insights. After completing this quiz, explore related Aviation Engine Knowledge Test or deepen your expertise with the Engine Performance Knowledge Test . This interactive experience is fully editable - tweak questions to your needs in the quizzes editor and make the most of your learning journey.

What parameter does the aircraft engine tachometer display?
Engine oil pressure
Exhaust gas temperature
Engine RPM
Manifold pressure
A tachometer measures the rotational speed of the engine in revolutions per minute (RPM). It does not directly measure pressure or temperature.
Which instrument provides a direct indication of the engine's lubrication system health?
Oil temperature gauge
Oil pressure gauge
Fuel flow indicator
Cylinder head temperature gauge
The oil pressure gauge monitors the pressure produced by the engine's oil pump, indicating the health of the lubrication system. Other gauges do not measure pressure.
What does the EGT gauge measure?
Cylinder head temperature
Exhaust gas temperature
Intake manifold pressure
Fuel/air ratio
The EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) gauge uses a thermocouple to measure the temperature of exhaust gases, which relates directly to combustion conditions.
The manifold pressure gauge indicates which of the following?
Pressure in the engine exhaust manifold
Pressure in the intake manifold
Fuel pressure to the injectors
Oil pressure upstream of the filter
The manifold pressure gauge displays the absolute pressure inside the intake manifold, which is key for managing engine power settings in piston and turboprop engines.
Which component commonly uses a thermocouple as its sensing element?
Oil pressure sending unit
Exhaust gas temperature probe
Tachometer drive
Fuel quantity transmitter
Exhaust gas temperature probes use thermocouples to convert temperature differences into a voltage signal. Other listed components use different sensing technologies.
An oil pressure gauge reads zero while the engine is running and oil temperature is normal. What is the most likely cause?
Pressure relief valve stuck open
Faulty oil pressure sending unit
Oil pump failure
Leak in the oil system
When oil temperature is normal and the engine is lubed, a zero reading usually indicates a failure of the sending unit rather than a mechanical oil system failure.
During calibration of a pressure gauge, what two points are essential to adjust for offset and span errors?
Zero and midscale
Zero and full scale
Midscale and three-quarter scale
One-quarter and three-quarter scale
Two-point calibration uses the zero point to correct offset and the full-scale point to correct gain (span), ensuring accuracy across the entire range.
Erratic fluctuations on an exhaust gas temperature gauge with a steady engine condition most likely indicate what type of instrument failure?
Clogged exhaust port
Damaged thermocouple wiring
Faulty mixture control
Excessive vibration
Intermittent or damaged thermocouple wiring in the EGT probe circuit causes rapid, erratic changes in the gauge reading even if the engine condition remains steady.
At high altitude cruise with a constant throttle setting, the manifold pressure gauge reads lower than at sea level. What is the primary reason?
Lower ambient pressure
Lower engine RPM
Fuel/air ratio change
Increased oil viscosity
Manifold pressure is referenced to ambient pressure; as altitude increases, ambient pressure decreases, causing manifold pressure to fall proportionally under the same throttle setting.
What does brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) measure in terms of engine performance?
Fuel flow per unit of thrust
Fuel flow per unit of horsepower per hour
Fuel flow per minute
Ratio of fuel mass to air mass
BSFC is defined as the mass of fuel consumed per unit of horsepower produced per hour, serving as an index of engine thermal efficiency.
A tachometer indicates lower engine RPM than actual. Which of the following is a likely cause?
Miswired oil pressure sender
Magnetic drive coupling slip
Faulty manifold pressure sensor
Clogged fuel injector
Tachometer systems often use a magnetic drive coupling to sense shaft speed; if that coupling slips, the indicated RPM will be lower than the actual speed.
To verify the accuracy of an oil pressure gauge during routine maintenance, the best method is to:
Compare readings to a calibrated test bench
Observe gauge response inflight
Visually inspect for leaks
Check sender resistance by feel
Using a calibrated test bench provides a known reference pressure to confirm the gauge's accuracy under controlled conditions.
A cylinder head temperature (CHT) gauge suddenly starts flickering between low and high values during flight. What is the most probable cause?
Loose sensor connection
Improper mixture leaning
Low coolant level
Blocked oil cooler
An intermittent or loose electrical connection at the thermocouple or wiring will cause the CHT gauge to flicker between erroneous values.
An oil temperature gauge shows a constant maximum reading even after engine shutdown. Which failure mode is indicated?
Sensor open circuit
Sensor shorted to ground
Gauge power loss
Proper sensor function
A short circuit in the sender or wiring drives the gauge to full-scale high indication, regardless of the actual temperature.
When troubleshooting a suspicious gauge indication in flight, the pilot's first action should be to:
Cross-check with another instrument or source
Reset the circuit breaker
Land immediately
Ignore and continue
Cross-checking with a secondary instrument or backup system helps determine whether the anomaly is a genuine system issue or an instrument fault.
In a pressure sensor, what does hysteresis error refer to?
Delay between input change and output response
Difference in output when approaching from increasing vs decreasing input
Temperature dependence of sensor output
Zero offset drift over time
Hysteresis is the difference in sensor output for the same input value depending on whether the input is increasing or decreasing, impacting measurement repeatability.
In a three-wire RTD bridge used for CHT measurement, failure of one RTD leg typically causes the gauge to read:
Zero temperature
Full-scale temperature
Normal temperature
Fluctuating random values
Loss of one leg in the bridge unbalances the circuit toward full-scale output, driving the gauge to its maximum indication.
Which thermocouple type is most commonly used for aircraft exhaust gas temperature probes due to its high-temperature capability?
Type J (Iron-Constantan)
Type T (Copper-Constantan)
Type K (Chromel-Alumel)
Type E (Chromel-Constantan)
Type K thermocouples withstand high exhaust gas temperatures (up to about 1250°C) and provide reliable voltage output for EGT measurement.
A piezoelectric vibration sensor installed on an engine cylinder head requires which additional component to provide a usable pressure signal?
Charge amplifier
Thermocouple compensator
Voltage regulator
Optical converter
Piezoelectric sensors generate charge in response to pressure or vibration; a charge amplifier conditions this charge into a stable voltage for the instrument.
A turbine-type fuel flow transmitter shows zero pulse output while the engine is operating and fuel flow is confirmed. The most likely cause is:
Magnetic pick-up coil shorted
Turbine rotor seized
Fuel pump failure
Clogged fuel line
If the internal turbine rotor is seized or unable to spin, the magnetic pick-up will detect no pulses despite normal fuel flow through the transmitter.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key engine instrumentation components and functions.
  2. Analyse gauge readings under various operating conditions.
  3. Evaluate typical instrument failure modes and indicators.
  4. Apply calibration concepts to ensure instrument accuracy.
  5. Demonstrate proficiency in interpreting engine performance metrics.
  6. Master troubleshooting procedures for instrumentation anomalies.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the Engine-Indicating and Crew-Alerting System (EICAS) - Ever wish your engine could text you updates? EICAS delivers live engine health and system status alerts right to your cockpit dashboard, helping you catch issues before they catch you. EICAS Overview
  2. Master the Function of the Attitude Indicator - Think of this as your plane's spirit level: it shows orientation relative to the horizon so you never lose your bearings. Learn how its gyroscope mechanics work and spot common errors to keep your flight smooth. Attitude Indicator Wiki
  3. Learn the Role of the Fuel Control Unit (FCU) - The FCU is your engine's fuel bouncer, regulating flow to maintain peak performance and prevent stalls. Understanding its inner workings helps you diagnose fuel hiccups before they become in-flight dramas. Fuel Control Unit Guide
  4. Recognize the Importance of Instrument Calibration - Calibrating instruments like altimeters and airspeed indicators is like tuning a guitar: it ensures everything's in perfect harmony. Get into the habit of regular checks to keep your readings accurate and your passengers safe. Calibration Best Practices
  5. Identify Common Engine Instrumentation Components - From throttle and mixture controls to oil temperature gauges, these parts are your engine management toolkit. Knowing what each knob and dial does turns cockpit clutter into a command center. Engine Controls Explained
  6. Analyze Pitot-Static System Instruments - Altimeters and airspeed indicators rely on pitot-static pressure differences to give you altitude and speed data. Dive into how these pressure lines work so you can trust your instruments in any weather. Pitot-Static Deep Dive
  7. Understand Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) System Troubleshooting - Monitoring EGT is like reading your engine's temperature gauge - crucial for peak efficiency. Learn to spot thermocouple and circuit resistance issues to keep performance sizzling, not sizzling you! EGT Troubleshooting Tips
  8. Explore the Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) - EFIS swaps old-school gauges for crisp digital displays, giving you a slick Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD). Master its features to boost your situational awareness and wow your instructors. EFIS Overview
  9. Study Aircraft Engine Fuel and Metering Systems - From main metering systems to automatic mixture control, fuel metering is the heart of engine performance. Grasp these systems to troubleshoot issues and fine-tune efficiency like a pro. Fuel & Metering Systems
  10. Apply Calibration Concepts to Ensure Instrument Accuracy - Consistent calibration of airspeed indicators and altimeters is your secret weapon for reliable flights. Make it a preflight ritual to keep your instruments singing in tune. Instrumentation Calibration
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