Airplane Engines Manual Bundle (PilotWorkshops)
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Finally, aviation books written for pilots, not lawyers! Fully illustrated with color photos and graphics, this Pilot-Friendly Manual from PilotWorkshops is much more than a quick reference guide—it dives deep into the finer points of airplane systems and procedures. Learn how to get the most performance, dependability and longevity from your engine with this plain English manual. It takes you under the cowl for a look at what’s really happening when you hit the starter.
Features:
- Covers Lycoming, Continental, and most conventional piston aircraft engines
- Task-oriented format with step-by-step instructions
- Fully illustrated with color photos and graphics
- Written for pilots in plain English (not mechanical jargon)
- Digital manual looks great on an iPad; keep it in your EFB app for quick access
- Spiral-bound 8.5” x 11” printed manual for easy use in the cockpit
Get to know your engine
Think about the trust you place in your airplane’s engine every time you fly. Are you doing everything possible to keep it running at its best? Do you understand it enough to be sure?
Too many pilots unknowingly accept marginal engine performance, or miss subtle clues of an impending problem, because they never had more engine instruction than the POH procedures and what their CFI told them. Or they spend thousands on repairs that could have been avoided had they operated and maintained their engines differently.
According to mechanics interviewed for this manual, most owners don’t ask questions about their engines, even when they’re uncertain. However, knowledge and communication are the keys to having a productive partnership with your mechanic.
This manual is a solid starting point. It’s a way to consider an engine-related task you currently accomplish, and explore possibilities for improvement. Or you may find tasks you’ve not done before and decide they’re something you should be doing. Either way, the investigation alone will get you more involved in the health of your engine.
Written for pilots
Many aircraft manuals read like they are written by lawyers, and maintenance manuals are filled with jargon that only mechanics can understand. These manuals from PilotWorkshops are different. Written in plain English and aimed at regular pilots, the explanations are simple and clear. They’re also loaded with practical advice for operating engines in the real world, so you can apply the knowledge found here on your next flight.
Topics covered include:
- Basic engine principles
- How to read an engine monitor
- Checking fuel and oil
- Starting techniques for Lycoming and Continental
- Pre-takeoff checks
- Leaning for climb and cruise
- Selecting a cruise power setting
- Airborne ignition checks
- In-flight troubleshooting
- Engine preheating
- New cylinder break-in
- Analyzing engine data
- Checking for exhaust leaks
- Oil changes and oil samples
- Managing logbook entries
- Choosing oil and additives
Comes with both formats
This manual is available on Sporty’s Pilot Training platform, so you can read the digital version online or on your tablet—alongside all your Sporty’s courses. Powerful reading tools are included, like highlighting, search, and bookmarks. Or download the PDF for easy reading on all your devices, with or without an internet connection. You might even leave the 8.5” x 11” spiral-bound book in your flight bag!
Digital (PDF)
- Quick and easy download
- Instantly available in Sporty's Pilot Training App
- Looks great on iPad

Printed Manual
- Spiral-bound 8.5” x 11” full color manual
- All the same features of the PDF
- Free shipping

How Well Do You Know Your Airplane's Engine
Finally, aviation books written for pilots, not lawyers! Fully illustrated with color photos and graphics, this Pilot-Friendly Manual from PilotWorkshops is much more than a quick reference guide—it dives deep into the finer points of airplane systems and procedures. Learn how to get the most performance, dependability and longevity from your engine with this plain English manual. It takes you under the cowl for a look at what’s really happening when you hit the starter.
This bag is loaded with custom pockets designed to all your gear. A padded headset pocket is large enough to fit most headsets without their case. A small slash pocket on the exterior of the headset pocket is perfect for a flashlight or fuel tester. The other end of the bag has a radio pocket for your backup hand-held transceiver and an expandable pocket for a water bottle. The front pocket is generously sized to fit most logbooks and has an organizer for pens and business cards.
Both formats for one price
Features
Covers Lycoming, Continental, and most conventional piston aircraft engines
Task-oriented format with step-by-step instructions
121 pages - Fully illustrated with color photos and graphics
Written for pilots in plain English (not mechanical jargon)
Digital manual looks great on an iPad; keep it in your EFB app for quick access
Spiral-bound printed manual for easy use in the cockpits
Get to know your engine
Think about the trust you place in your airplane’s engine every time you fly. Are you doing everything possible to keep it running at its best? Do you understand it enough to be sure? Too many pilots unknowingly accept marginal engine performance, or miss subtle clues of an impending problem, because they never had more engine instruction than the POH procedures and what their CFI told them. Or they spend thousands on repairs that could have been avoided had they operated and maintained their engines differently.
According to mechanics interviewed for this manual, most owners don’t ask questions about their engines, even when they’re uncertain. However, knowledge and communication are the keys to having a productive partnership with your mechanic.
This manual is a solid starting point. It’s a way to consider an engine-related task you currently accomplish, and explore possibilities for improvement. Or you may find tasks you’ve not done before and decide they’re something you should be doing. Either way, the investigation alone will get you more involved in the health of your engine.
50 Engine Operation and Maintenance Tasks
This manual helps pilots understand engine operation and maintenance at a deeper level. We’ll show you the best way to complete each of these tasks, using proven techniques and best practices from leading engine experts.
- Tour Your Engine
- Read an Engine Monitor
- Check and Add Oil
- Add and Sump Fuel
- Prime and Start with a Carburetor
- Prime and Start Lycoming Fuel Injection
- Prime and Start Continental Fuel Injection
- Lean for Taxi
- Cycle a Propeller
- Check Engine Instruments on Runup
- Clear Fouled Plugs
- Check Engine Instruments on Takeoff
- Lean for High Altitude Takeoff
- Test Ignition Grounding (P-Leads)
- Lean for Climb
- Select Cruise Power Setting and Altitude
- Lean for Cruise
- Set Power and Mixture for Descent
- Lean for Climb
- Select Cruise Power Setting and Altitude
- Lean for Cruise
- Set Power and Mixture for Descent
- Preheat Overnight
- Preheat Rapidly
- Break in an Engine or Cylinder
- Prep for Inactivity
- Download Engine Monitor Data
- Analyze Engine Monitor Data
- Calibrate Fuel Flow Gauge (K-Factor)
- Remove a Cowling
- Inspect the Engine Compartment
- Check Engine Baffles
- Check for Exhaust Leaks
- Replace Safety Wiring
- Clean and Gap Spark Plugs
- Collect an Oil Sample
- Replace and Inspect Oil Filter
- Change an Air Filter
- Clean a Fuel Strainer
- Make a Logbook Entry
- Track Major Powerplant Events
- Customize Digital Engine Monitor Alerts
- Choose the Best Oil and Additives
- Choose the Best Spark Plug
- Decide to Replace Cylinders or an Engine
- Assess Upgrades
Frequently asked questions
The tasks covered are applicable to most conventional piston aircraft engines. Where necessary, some tasks will provide model specific instructions (i.e. Lycoming, Continental, Rotax) or type specific instructions (i.e. high-performance, turbocharged, fuel injected, etc.) if they are different.
The digital manual is delivered in PDF format and works on any computer or mobile device.
Yes, the digital PDF is formatted for use on your iPad and can be downloaded in a few easy steps.
The printed manual is 8.5 x 11 inches, so it will fit in most flight bags or in the seat pocket of your airplane. It’s printed on high quality, durable paper. We take the extra step of adding a spiral binder so it’s easier to open and use in the cockpit, and we top it with a clear plastic cover to protect it from weather and spills.
We use the US Postal Service to mail all USA orders, and they typically arrive within 5 business days. International orders usually arrive within 10 business days (can be longer in some countries). If you order the printed manual, you’ll also get the digital version, which you can download and start using right away.
