What is a piston-powered aircraft?
Piston airplanes have one or more piston-powered engines connected a propeller to provide thrust to move the aircraft on the ground and through the air. Piston-powered aircraft most commonly use 100 octane low-leaded fuel and fly at altitudes below 15,000 feet. Small general aviation aircraft use mostly horizontally opposed reciprocating piston engines. While some aircraft still use radial reciprocating piston engines, their use is very limited. Many aircraft use a form of the gas turbine engine to produce power for thrust.
What are the disadvantages of piston engine aircraft?
Potential Drawbacks Limited Power Output: Compared to turboprops, piston engines produce far less power. This limitation is a deciding factor for pilots who need to carry heavy loads, fly faster, or fly at higher altitudes. Lower Altitude Performance: Piston engines are not as efficient as turboprops at high altitudes. While piston and turboprop airplanes both feature one or more propellers — typically one propeller per engine — piston airplanes are typically smaller than their turboprop counterpart. Piston engines are smaller and use a simpler design. Therefore, they are better suited for small airplanes.They burn fuel and air, and they turn an attached propeller. Turboprop engines are more complex and expensive than piston engines. They offer higher efficiency and performance, especially at higher altitudes and speeds. This makes them ideal for larger aircraft and regional airliners.
Is the Cessna 172 a piston engine?
The Cessna 172, a widely-used general aviation aircraft, typically features a piston engine. Specifically, it is often equipped with a horizontally-opposed, four-cylinder, air-cooled engine, most commonly the Lycoming O-320 or Continental O-300. These engines are known for their reliability and simplicity. The Cessna® Skyhawk® piston is the most popular single-engine aircraft ever built and has achieved a reputation for being the ultimate training aircraft.