Your aircraft magneto requires different care than other parts on your aircraft, which is why it is important to know how and when to conduct maintenance. For magnetos specifically, inspection and repair is required every 500 hours in addition to regular overhaul.
In this blog article, we’ll cover what an aircraft magneto is, how they work, what a 500-hour inspection is, and how to troubleshoot this part of your aircraft.
What is an Aircraft Magneto?
An aircraft magneto is an engine driven electrical generator that uses permanent magnets and coils to produce high voltage to fire the aircraft spark plugs. Aircraft magnetos are used in piston aircraft engines and are known for their simplicity and reliability. Maintenance for aircraft magnetos is a little different from other parts.
How Do Aircraft Magnetos Work?
The magneto is a self-contained generator of high voltage that provides ignition to an engine through spark plugs. A magnet spins in close proximity to a coil of wire. As the magnet spins (or the magnet rotor is turned), it generates a strong magnetic force that is “held back” by a primary coil.
The moment the contact points open, a rapid magnetic flow generates a high voltage in the secondary coil, which ignites the spark plug, thus firing the engine. The two magnetos on most GA aircraft – the left and the right – each fire one of two spark plugs on each cylinder.
Learn more about how aircraft magnetos work in our blog article here.
How to Troubleshoot Your Slick or Bendix Aircraft Magneto
To troubleshoot your magneto, you must know how it works and how it is supposed to function. There are several signs to look for that can indicate your magneto is having issues:
👉 Misfiring or rough running engine
👉 Uncommon vibrations
👉 Engine backfiring
👉 Difficulty starting
👉 Engine power or RPM decrease
Why would you be experiencing these issues?
👉 Damaged or worn distributor gear
👉 Damaged or worn internal parts of the magneto
👉 Prop imbalance
👉 Exhaust system issues
👉 Incorrect magneto or engine timing
👉 Fuel delivery issues
In addition to regular overhaul, aircraft magnetos also require inspection and repair every 500 hours. When you send your Magneto to AAI, here are a few things we do:
- Complete disassembly of the magneto
- Thorough cleaning of components
- Replace all required parts called out in inspection manual
- Inspect remaining parts for wear, damage and their ability to function, and replace if needed
- Repaint housings
- Perform complete functional test
While a 500-hour inspection isn’t required by FAA regulation, it is a good practice to ensure safe and reliable operation of your aircraft engine.
Check out this image of the different Magneto parts⤵️
Photo courtesy of Aviation Safety Magazine
AAI Provides FAA Certified Repairs and Inspections on Slick and Bendix Magnetos
When you can’t find the parts you need, the problems multiply. You send in your plane for routine maintenance and expect to have it back in a week. But inspections turn up several parts that need to be replaced, which could take weeks or even months. What now?
The entire process of locating, ordering, and receiving certified aircraft accessories is a huge headache.
Uncertified, untested parts are all over the internet, but do you really want to risk your safety for convenience? Certified replacement parts can take a ridiculously long time to ship – sometimes months – and the cost can be absurdly high.
Unless you shop with AAI.
We’ll help you avoid the delays and headaches, and instead get certified, safe, and tested aircraft accessories so that you can fix your aircraft and get back to flying.
1. Call AAI
2. Get a quote
3. Fix your plane and fly