AMTStandards.orgAviation maintenance

Quick reference

Terms on this page 14

Dotted in the text; open one for its entry, or see the glossary.

Readings in the sources

11 short readings for PP-H, a topic at a time: what the test asks, and the sections that cover it. Sign in to tick them off as you read.

  • FAA-H-8083-32B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook — Powerplant

  1. Ignition theory K1, K4, K8, S6, S8

    For the test: Ignition theory; the three electrical circuits of a magneto; magneto components and operation; breaker points; impulse coupling

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Magneto-Ignition System Operating Principles · High-Tension Magneto System Theory of Operation · High- & Low-Tension Magneto Systems · Single & Dual High-Tension System Magnetos

  2. Spark plug theory; service; gap; correct plug selection K2, S3, S11, S12

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Spark Plugs · Spark Plug Inspection & Maintenance · Spark Plug Removal · Spark Plug Installation · Carbon Fouling of Spark Plugs · Gap Erosion of Spark Plugs

  3. Shower of sparks and impulse coupling K3

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Auxiliary Ignition Units

  4. Solid-state ignition; FADEC K5, K6

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: PowerLink Ignition System

  5. Engine starters; inspection and troubleshooting K7, S5, S9

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 5: Reciprocating Engine Starting Systems · Inertia Starters · Gas Turbine Engine Starters · Air Turbine Starters · Troubleshooting Small Aircraft Starting Systems

  6. Turbine ignition; igniters K9, S14–S17

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Turbine Engine Ignition Systems · Turbine Ignition System Inspection & Maintenance

  7. Set magneto internal timing; time magneto to engine S1, S2

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Checking the Internal Timing of a Magneto · High-Tension Magneto E-Gap Setting (Bench Timing) · Timing the High-tension Magneto to the Engine · Built-In Engine Timing Reference Marks · Timing Lights · Timing Discs

  8. Inspect an ignition harness S7

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Ignition Harness · Ignition Harness Maintenance · Harness Testing · High-Tension Ignition Harness Faults

  9. Advanced and retarded timing R1

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Magneto-Ignition Timing Devices

  10. Working around engines with an ungrounded magneto R3

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Ignition Switch Check · Removal, Maintenance, & Installation of Ignition System Components

  11. Troubleshoot and repair an ignition system S4, S13

    For the test: Troubleshoot and repair an ignition system; troubleshoot a turbine or reciprocating ignition system

    • FAA-H-8083-32B Ch. 4: Reciprocating Engine Ignition System Maintenance & Inspection · Maintenance & Inspection of Ignition Leads · Performing Ignition System Checks

Source: FAA-H-8083-32B, ignition and starting systems chapters. Public domain. Pointers only.

Chapter and section verified against FAA-H-8083-32B, 2023 edition, on 28 August 2026. Page numbers are deliberately not cited: they move between printings, and a citation that rots silently is worse than a coarser one that stays true. Checked by our handbook citation check against our index of the handbook's chapters and sections.

Elements The ACS asks for Where in FAA-H-8083-32B Read it for
K1, K4, K8, S6, S8 Ignition theory; the three electrical circuits of a magneto; magneto components and operation; breaker points; impulse coupling Ch. 4 — Magneto-Ignition System Operating Principles; High-Tension Magneto System Theory of Operation; High- & Low-Tension Magneto Systems; Single & Dual High-Tension System Magnetos PP-H Concepts §1 — the whole unit turns on this
K2, S3, S11, S12 Spark plug theory; service; gap; correct plug selection Ch. 4 — Spark Plugs; Spark Plug Inspection & Maintenance; Spark Plug Removal; Spark Plug Installation; Carbon Fouling of Spark Plugs; Gap Erosion of Spark Plugs Heat range. PP-H Concepts §4
K3 Shower of sparks and impulse coupling Ch. 4 — Auxiliary Ignition Units Both solve the same starting problem
K5, K6 Solid-state ignition; FADEC Ch. 4 — PowerLink Ignition System Knowledge only
K7, S5, S9 Engine starters; inspection and troubleshooting Ch. 5 — Reciprocating Engine Starting Systems; Inertia Starters; Gas Turbine Engine Starters; Air Turbine Starters; Troubleshooting Small Aircraft Starting Systems —
K9, S14–S17 Turbine ignition; igniters Ch. 4 — Turbine Engine Ignition Systems; Turbine Ignition System Inspection & Maintenance Capacitor discharge holds lethal energy. PP-H Concepts §5
S1, S2 Set magneto internal timing; time magneto to engine Ch. 4 — Checking the Internal Timing of a Magneto; High-Tension Magneto E-Gap Setting (Bench Timing); Timing the High-tension Magneto to the Engine; Built-In Engine Timing Reference Marks; Timing Lights; Timing Discs The unit's signature hand skill — PP-H Concepts §3
S7 Inspect an ignition harness Ch. 4 — Ignition Harness; Ignition Harness Maintenance; Harness Testing; High-Tension Ignition Harness Faults —
R1 Advanced and retarded timing Ch. 4 — Magneto-Ignition Timing Devices PP-H Concepts §3
R2 Capacitor discharge ignition maintenance Ch. 4 — Turbine Ignition System Inspection & Maintenance PP-H Concepts §5
R3 Working around engines with an ungrounded magneto Ch. 4 — Ignition Switch Check; Removal, Maintenance, & Installation of Ignition System Components PP-H Concepts §1
S4, S13 Troubleshoot and repair an ignition system; troubleshoot a turbine or reciprocating ignition system Ch. 4 — Reciprocating Engine Ignition System Maintenance & Inspection; Maintenance & Inspection of Ignition Leads; Turbine Ignition System Inspection & Maintenance; Performing Ignition System Checks Both are simulator elements. PP-H Concepts §1 first — an ungrounded magneto is live whatever the switch says

The operative sources

  • The engine manufacturer's timing specification — the E-gap setting, the engine timing figure, and the method.
  • The engine TCDS for the approved spark plug list. Heat range is not a preference.

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