ASA POWERPLANT ORAL STUDYGUIDE EXAM || MOST
RECENT EXAM 2026|2027 ACTUAL COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS!! NEWEST
EXAM | JUST RELEASED!!
What are the three distinct circuits in a magneto system? -ANSWER-The
magnetic circuit, the primary electrical circuit, and the secondary
electrical circuit.
What are the advantages of a solid-state magneto? -ANSWER-No
mechanical parts that wear, higher energy spark at low speeds, and no
recurring inspection requirements.
What is the purpose of a FADEC system? -ANSWER-FADEC (full-
authority digital electronic control) is a digital electronic fuel control for
a gas turbine engine that is functioning during all engine operations,
hence full authority. It includes the EEC (electronic engine control) and
functions with the flight management computer. FADEC schedules the
fuel to the nozzles in such a way that prevents overshooting power
changes and over-temperature conditions. FADEC furnishes
information to the EICAS (engine indicating and crew alerting system).
What kind of electric starting system is used on many of the smaller
turbine engines? -ANSWER-A starter-generator.
,Why are air-turbine starters superior to electric starters for large
turbine engines? -ANSWER-They are light weight for the torque they
produce.
Where does an air-turbine starter get its air for starting the engines on
a jet transport airplane? -ANSWER-From an APU, GPU, or from a
running engine.
What prevents too high an air pressure from overspeeding an air-
turbine starter? -ANSWER-The air shutoff and regulating valve.
Where does an air-turbine starter get its lubricating oil? -ANSWER-It
has a self-contained lubrication system with the oil held in the starter
housing.
What device in an air-turbine starter warns an aviation mechanic if
there are any metal chips or particles in the oil? -ANSWER-Magnetic
chip detectors warn of any metal contamination in the oil.
What is the function of the capacitor in a magneto? -ANSWER-The
capacitor minimizes arcing at the breaker points, and it speeds up the
collapse of the primary current as the breaker points open.
What happens in a magneto ignition system when the ignition switch is
placed in the Off position? -ANSWER-The primary circuit is connected
to ground.
,What is checked when a magneto is internally timed? -ANSWER-
Internally timing a magneto consists of adjusting the breaker points so
they will open at the instant the rotating magnet is in its E-gap position,
and the distributor rotor is in the position to direct the high voltage to
cylinder number one.
In what position should the ignition switch be placed when using a
timing light on the magnetos? -ANSWER-In the Both position.
What is the E-gap in magneto timing? -ANSWER-The E-gap angle is the
position of the rotating magnet when the primary current flowing in the
magneto coil is the greatest. The breaker points open when the
rotating magnet is in its E-gap position.
What malfunction in the ignition system would cause an aircraft
reciprocating engine to continue to run after the ignition switch is
placed in the Off position? -ANSWER-The ignition switch is not
grounding the magneto primary circuit.
What type of ignition system is used on most turbine engines? -
ANSWER-High-intensity, intermittent-duty, capacitor discharge ignition
systems.
How many igniters are used with most turbine engines? -ANSWER-two
, What are two types of ignition systems used in turbine engines? -
ANSWER-High-voltage systems and low-voltage systems.
With which type of turbine-engine ignition system is a glow plug igniter
used? -ANSWER-A low-voltage system.
How is the strength of the magnet in a magneto checked? -ANSWER-
The magneto is put on a test stand and rotated at a specified speed.
The breaker points are held open and the primary current is measured.
The strength of the magnet determines the amount of primary current.
In what position is the magnet in a magneto when the greatest change
in flux density in the coil core takes place? -ANSWER-It is a few degrees
beyond its neutral position. When it is in this position, the breaker
points open and the primary current is interrupted. The flux change in
the coil core is the greatest.
In what position is the magnet in a magneto when the breaker points
begin to open? -ANSWER-In its E-gap position, just a few degrees
beyond its neutral position.
What happens when the start switch for a turbine engine with a
starter-generator is placed in the START position? -ANSWER-a. Current
flows into the starter relay which closes and actuates the ignition
exciter. b. Current flows through the series motor coils of the starter
generator and rotates the engine until it starts.
RECENT EXAM 2026|2027 ACTUAL COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS!! NEWEST
EXAM | JUST RELEASED!!
What are the three distinct circuits in a magneto system? -ANSWER-The
magnetic circuit, the primary electrical circuit, and the secondary
electrical circuit.
What are the advantages of a solid-state magneto? -ANSWER-No
mechanical parts that wear, higher energy spark at low speeds, and no
recurring inspection requirements.
What is the purpose of a FADEC system? -ANSWER-FADEC (full-
authority digital electronic control) is a digital electronic fuel control for
a gas turbine engine that is functioning during all engine operations,
hence full authority. It includes the EEC (electronic engine control) and
functions with the flight management computer. FADEC schedules the
fuel to the nozzles in such a way that prevents overshooting power
changes and over-temperature conditions. FADEC furnishes
information to the EICAS (engine indicating and crew alerting system).
What kind of electric starting system is used on many of the smaller
turbine engines? -ANSWER-A starter-generator.
,Why are air-turbine starters superior to electric starters for large
turbine engines? -ANSWER-They are light weight for the torque they
produce.
Where does an air-turbine starter get its air for starting the engines on
a jet transport airplane? -ANSWER-From an APU, GPU, or from a
running engine.
What prevents too high an air pressure from overspeeding an air-
turbine starter? -ANSWER-The air shutoff and regulating valve.
Where does an air-turbine starter get its lubricating oil? -ANSWER-It
has a self-contained lubrication system with the oil held in the starter
housing.
What device in an air-turbine starter warns an aviation mechanic if
there are any metal chips or particles in the oil? -ANSWER-Magnetic
chip detectors warn of any metal contamination in the oil.
What is the function of the capacitor in a magneto? -ANSWER-The
capacitor minimizes arcing at the breaker points, and it speeds up the
collapse of the primary current as the breaker points open.
What happens in a magneto ignition system when the ignition switch is
placed in the Off position? -ANSWER-The primary circuit is connected
to ground.
,What is checked when a magneto is internally timed? -ANSWER-
Internally timing a magneto consists of adjusting the breaker points so
they will open at the instant the rotating magnet is in its E-gap position,
and the distributor rotor is in the position to direct the high voltage to
cylinder number one.
In what position should the ignition switch be placed when using a
timing light on the magnetos? -ANSWER-In the Both position.
What is the E-gap in magneto timing? -ANSWER-The E-gap angle is the
position of the rotating magnet when the primary current flowing in the
magneto coil is the greatest. The breaker points open when the
rotating magnet is in its E-gap position.
What malfunction in the ignition system would cause an aircraft
reciprocating engine to continue to run after the ignition switch is
placed in the Off position? -ANSWER-The ignition switch is not
grounding the magneto primary circuit.
What type of ignition system is used on most turbine engines? -
ANSWER-High-intensity, intermittent-duty, capacitor discharge ignition
systems.
How many igniters are used with most turbine engines? -ANSWER-two
, What are two types of ignition systems used in turbine engines? -
ANSWER-High-voltage systems and low-voltage systems.
With which type of turbine-engine ignition system is a glow plug igniter
used? -ANSWER-A low-voltage system.
How is the strength of the magnet in a magneto checked? -ANSWER-
The magneto is put on a test stand and rotated at a specified speed.
The breaker points are held open and the primary current is measured.
The strength of the magnet determines the amount of primary current.
In what position is the magnet in a magneto when the greatest change
in flux density in the coil core takes place? -ANSWER-It is a few degrees
beyond its neutral position. When it is in this position, the breaker
points open and the primary current is interrupted. The flux change in
the coil core is the greatest.
In what position is the magnet in a magneto when the breaker points
begin to open? -ANSWER-In its E-gap position, just a few degrees
beyond its neutral position.
What happens when the start switch for a turbine engine with a
starter-generator is placed in the START position? -ANSWER-a. Current
flows into the starter relay which closes and actuates the ignition
exciter. b. Current flows through the series motor coils of the starter
generator and rotates the engine until it starts.
