AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING LABORATORY
Piston Engine Familiarization Assignment
Study of Inline Six-Cylinder and Horizontally-Opposed Aero Engines (Hangar Specimens)
Name ____________________________ Roll No. ________________
Course / Sem ____________________________ Date ________________
Lab Aircraft Engines / Powerplant Lab Batch ________________
1. Aim
To identify, examine and study the constructional features of two air-cooled reciprocating aero-engine specimens displayed
in the hangar — (a) an Inline Six-Cylinder engine and (b) a Horizontally-Opposed engine — and to record their layout,
construction details, and general specifications for comparison.
2. Apparatus / Equipment Used
• Hangar specimen 1: Horizontally-Opposed piston aero-engine (mounted on stand, cylinder heads removed for internal
inspection)
• Hangar specimen 2: Inline Six-Cylinder piston aero-engine (cylinder barrels exposed, cut-away/stripped head)
• Feeler gauge, steel rule / measuring tape
• Inspection mirror and torch
• Notebook, digital camera for photographic record
• Reference manuals / type certificate data sheets (if available)
3. Theory
3.1 Inline Engine
An inline engine arranges all cylinders in a single row along the crankcase, with each piston connected to a common
crankshaft through individual connecting rods acting on successive crank throws. The cylinders may be vertical, inverted, or
inclined. This configuration gives a narrow frontal area, which is aerodynamically favourable, but results in a comparatively
long engine and an uneven cooling airflow distribution along the row in air-cooled versions.
3.2 Horizontally-Opposed (Flat/Boxer) Engine
In a horizontally-opposed engine, cylinders are arranged in two banks on opposite sides of a central crankcase, lying
horizontally and directly facing each other. Opposing pistons move outward and inward together, which gives good primary
balance, a low overall height (small frontal area from the top view) and short engine length. This layout is widely used in
light aircraft because of its favourable power-to-weight ratio, simple accessory mounting, and ease of cowling for uniform
air-cooling of each cylinder.
3.3 Common Air-Cooling Features
Both specimens are air-cooled types, identifiable by the closely spaced circumferential cooling fins machined or cast onto
each cylinder barrel and head. Cooling fins increase the surface area exposed to airflow to dissipate heat generated during
combustion, compensating for the absence of a liquid cooling jacket.
4. Photographic Record of Hangar Specimens
4.1 Specimen A — Horizontally-Opposed Engine
Fig. 1: Horizontally-opposed engine — opposing cylinder banks with pushrod housings, exposed valve gear and cooling fins
(Hangar, left-hand bay)
4.2 Specimen B — Inline Six-Cylinder Engine
Fig. 2: Inline six-cylinder engine — single row of finned cylinder barrels mounted along the crankcase (Hangar, left-hand
bay)
5. Observations — Constructional Features
Feature Specimen A: Horizontally-Opposed Specimen B: Inline Six-Cylinder
Cylinder arrangement Two banks directly opposite each other Single row of cylinders along one side
about the crankshaft of crankcase
Cooling Air-cooled; individually finned barrels Air-cooled; finned barrels visible,
and heads close fin spacing
Valve gear External pushrods and rocker housings on Overhead/side valve gear operated
each cylinder through rocker arms atop cylinder
blocks
Crankcase Central split crankcase with cylinders Single elongated crankcase with
bolted on opposite faces cylinders bolted in line
Accessory drive Rear-mounted accessory section Front gear/pulley drive visible near
(magneto/pump drives visible) propeller shaft end
Frontal area Low (flat profile) Narrow (small cross-section, greater
length)
6. Typical General Specifications
Exact type/model data plates were not legible on the specimens examined; the figures below are therefore representative
ranges for aero-engines of this class and configuration, provided for comparison. Record the actual data-plate values in the
blank column if a plate is located on the specimen.
Parameter Horizontally-Opposed (typical) Inline Six-Cylinder (typical) Measured on
Specimen
Number of cylinders 4/6 6
Cooling method Air-cooled Air-cooled
Valve arrangement Overhead valve, pushrod-operated Overhead/side valve, pushrod-
operated
Bore approx. 110–130 mm approx. 95–115 mm
Stroke approx. 95–115 mm approx. 110–140 mm
Compression ratio approx. 6.5 : 1 – 7 : 1 approx. 5.5 : 1 – 6.5 : 1
Rated power approx. 100–200 hp approx. 150–250 hp
Rated speed approx. 2,300–2,700 RPM approx. 1,900–2,300 RPM
Firing order Alternating between opposed Sequential along row (e.g. 1-4-2-
banks (e.g. 1-4-2-3 for 4-cyl) 6-3-5)
Typical dry weight approx. 90–160 kg approx. 180–260 kg
Typical application Light trainer / general-aviation Vintage trainer / touring aircraft
aircraft
7. Procedure
1. Report to the hangar bay and locate the two engine specimens mounted on the left-hand side stands.
2. Walk around each specimen and note the overall layout — count the number of cylinders and identify the arrangement
(in-line row vs. opposed banks).
3. Examine the cylinder barrels closely; note the fin spacing, material finish, and any casting/stamped numbers on the
barrels or crankcase.
4. Trace the valve-operating mechanism (pushrods, rocker covers) from the crankcase to each cylinder head and sketch the
linkage.
5. Identify the propeller-shaft end, accessory drive section, and any exposed ignition harness or ignition leads.
6. Photograph each specimen from at least two angles for the laboratory record.
7. Record all observations in the tables provided in Section 5 and Section 6.
8. Compare the two configurations and note advantages/disadvantages observed directly from construction (frontal area,
length, accessibility, balance).
9. Complete the viva-voce questions in Section 9 and prepare the conclusion in Section 10.
8. Precautions
• Do not attempt to rotate the propeller shaft or crankshaft of either specimen without instructor supervision.
• Avoid placing hands or fingers between exposed pushrods, rocker arms, or valve springs.
• Handle inspection mirrors and torches carefully near the engine's sharp fin edges.
• Do not lean or place weight on the mounting stand or airframe components near the specimens.
• Report any loose fasteners, sharp edges, or unstable mounting to the lab instructor immediately.
9. Viva-Voce Questions
[Link] is the main advantage of a horizontally-opposed layout over an inline layout for light aircraft?
[Link] is air-cooling fin spacing generally closer near the cylinder head than the base?
[Link] why firing order matters in a multi-cylinder engine with respect to crankshaft balance.
[Link] is the effect of frontal area on aircraft drag, and how does each configuration compare?
[Link] are pushrod-operated valves commonly used instead of overhead camshafts in these engine classes?
[Link] does cylinder arrangement affect the ease of maintenance and accessory mounting?
10. Conclusion
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11. Instructor's Remarks & Signature
Signature: ____________________ Date: ____________