Flight Nerd Weekly Briefing
The latest updates to help you prep for FAA exams and enjoy the world of aviation!
FADEC in Small Aircraft: Letting the Computer Do the Throttling
In the world of small aircraft, the humble engine has traditionally demanded a lot from the pilot—throttle this, mixture that, prop RPM over here. But as technology trickles down from the airline world, modern general aviation aircraft are getting a taste of digital sophistication. One of the mos...
Oct 12, 2025
Small Aircraft Propeller Systems: Twisting Through the Sky
When it comes to small aircraft, the propeller often plays the starring role in converting engine power into forward motion. While it might seem like nothing more than a big fan up front (and yes, it does keep the pilot cool—just watch what happens when it stops), the propeller system is a critic...
Oct 05, 2025
Understanding the Aircraft Vacuum System: Old School Air Power That Keeps You Upright
When you’re flying a small airplane, some of the most crucial instruments on your panel depend on an invisible force you don’t often think about: suction. No, we’re not talking about the kind that keeps your coffee lid on during a bumpy climb—this is the aircraft vacuum system, the unsung hero of...
Sep 28, 2025
A Current Affair: Understanding Aircraft Electrical Systems in Small Aircraft
Flip a switch, and the lights come on. Push a button, and the starter cranks. Tune the radio, check your fuel gauges, or lower the flaps—none of it happens without your aircraft’s electrical system. While small aircraft electrical setups may not rival the complexity of their commercial cousins, t...
Sep 21, 2025
Gauges, Needles, and Numbers: A Guide to Aircraft Engine Instrumentation
Flying a small aircraft is part science, part art—and part knowing what all those gauges on your panel are trying to tell you before anything starts smoking. Your airplane’s engine instruments are the direct line between you and the heart of your aircraft: the powerplant. They help you monitor ev...
Sep 14, 2025
Aircraft Engine Oil: The Lifeblood of Your Piston Powerplant
When you think of engine oil, your first thought might be: “It lubricates stuff, right?” While that's certainly true, in small aircraft piston engines, oil does a whole lot more. It’s not just slippery goo—it’s your engine’s personal bodyguard, heat manager, and trash collector, all rolled into o...
Sep 07, 2025
When Combustion Misbehaves: Understanding Detonation and Preignition in Small Aircraft
When everything’s working properly, your aircraft’s engine purrs along with rhythmic, controlled explosions that drive your propeller and keep you in the sky. But every now and then, combustion goes rogue. That’s when you get into the potentially damaging realms of detonation and preignition—two ...
Aug 31, 2025
Fuel Grade and Contamination in Small Aircraft: Know What You’re Pouring and What You’re Catching
When it comes to flying, it’s easy to get excited about lift, speed, and shiny new avionics—but none of that matters if your fuel is wrong or dirty. In the world of small aircraft, using the correct fuel grade and avoiding fuel contamination is absolutely essential. It might not be glamorous, but...
Aug 24, 2025
Reading Between the Burns: A Guide to Aircraft Mixture Instrumentation
In small aircraft, managing the air-fuel mixture isn’t just about turning the red knob and hoping for the best. Today’s piston-powered pilots have a suite of helpful instruments to fine-tune the fuel-air blend, ensuring the engine runs smoothly, efficiently, and safely. Whether you’re trying to s...
Aug 17, 2025
Aircraft Mixture Control: Finding the Goldilocks Zone of Engine Performance
If you’ve ever flown a small piston aircraft, you’ve probably seen that red knob on the throttle quadrant—the one labeled “Mixture.” It might not look flashy, but that humble little control plays a big role in how your engine performs, how much fuel you burn, and whether or not your spark plugs s...
Aug 10, 2025
Fuel for Flight: Understanding Aircraft Fuel Systems in Small Aircraft
If lift gets all the glory, fuel is the unsung hero of aviation. Without it, your aircraft is just a very expensive glider. A properly functioning fuel system is essential to keeping the engine running smoothly and reliably. Whether your aircraft is sipping 100LL avgas or Jet A in a diesel-powere...
Aug 03, 2025
Diesel Aircraft Engines: The Comeback Kid of Small Aviation
When most pilots think of piston engines in small aircraft, they imagine avgas-burning, spark-ignited gasoline engines. But there’s another contender under the cowling that’s been quietly growing in popularity: the diesel engine. Long associated with trucks and tractors, diesel engines are now ma...
Jul 27, 2025
Flight Nerd Weekly Briefing
