Editing Aircraft engine controls (section)

==Basic controls and indicators==
*'''[[Thrust lever|Throttle control]]''' - Sets the desired power level normally by a lever in the cockpit. In [[carburetor|carburetted]] engines the lever is called ''throttle lever'' and controls the mass flow rate of the air-fuel mixture delivered to the cylinders by the amount of throttle valve opening. In engines with [[fuel injection]] system, the lever is typically referred to as ''power lever'' and controls the amount of fuel that is injected into the cylinders.
*'''[[Aircraft engine controls#Propeller|Propeller control]]''' or '''[[Propeller governor|Governor]]''' - Adjusts the propeller [[blade pitch]] and regulates the engine load as necessary to maintain the set [[revolutions per minute]] (RPM). See the section on propeller below for details.
*'''[[Air–fuel ratio|Mixture control]]''' - Sets the amount of fuel added to the intake airflow.  At higher altitudes, the air pressure (and therefore the oxygen level) declines so the fuel volume must also be reduced to give the correct [[Air–fuel ratio|air–fuel mixture]].  This process is known as "leaning".
*'''[[Switch|Master switch]]''' - Most often actually two separate switches, the ''battery master'' and the ''alternator master''. The ''battery master'' activates a relay (sometimes called the battery contactor) which connects the [[Electric battery|battery]] to the aircraft's main electrical bus. The ''alternator master'' activates the [[alternator]] by applying power to the alternator field circuit. These two switches provide electrical power to all the systems in the aircraft.
*'''[[Ignition switch]]''' - Activates the [[ignition magneto|magneto]]s by opening the grounding or 'p-lead' circuit; with the p-lead ungrounded the magneto is free to send its high-voltage output to the [[spark plugs]].  In most aircraft the ignition switch also applies power to the [[starter motor]] during engine start. In piston aircraft engines, the battery does not generate the spark for combustion. This is accomplished using devices called magnetos. Magnetos are connected to the engine by gearing. When the crankshaft turns, it turns the magnetos which mechanically generate voltage for spark. In the event of an electrical failure, the engine will continue to run.  The Ignition Switch has the following positions:
*#''Off'' - Both magneto p-leads are connected to electrical ground. This disables both magnetos, no spark is produced.
*#''Right'' - The left magneto p-lead is grounded, and the right is open. This disables the left magneto and enables the right magneto only.
*#''Left'' - The right magneto p-lead is grounded, and the left is open. This disables the right magneto and enables the left magneto only.
*#''Both'' - This is the normal operating configuration, both p-leads are open, enabling both magnetos.
*#''Start'' - The pinion gear on the starter motor is engaged with the flywheel and the starter motor runs to turn the engine over. In most cases, only the left magneto is active (the right p-lead is grounded) due to timing differences between the magnetos at low RPMs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcmlink.com/serviceBulletins/pdf/MS94-8A.pdf |title=MS94-8A Service Bulletin |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009052601/http://www.tcmlink.com/serviceBulletins/pdf/MS94-8A.pdf |archive-date=2010-10-09 }}</ref>
*'''[[Tachometer]]''' - A gauge to indicate engine speed in RPM or percentage of maximum.
*'''[[Manifold pressure|Manifold pressure (MP) gauge]]''' - Indicates the absolute pressure in the [[intake manifold]]. For an aircraft equipped with a constant speed propeller, this is the most direct indication of the engine's operating power. A fully open throttle would show a manifold pressure roughly equal to the ambient air pressure, i.e. full power; note that the maximum therefore changes with altitude unless the engine is equipped with a turbocharger or similar intake air pressure increasing system. As the throttle is closed, this pressure is reduced due to restricting the fuel/air mixture available to the engine, i.e. causing it to operate at lower power than it is capable of producing.
*'''Oil temperature gauge''' - Indicates the engine oil temperature.
*'''[[Oil pressure gauge]]''' - Indicates the supply pressure of the engine lubricant.
*'''[[Exhaust gas temperature gauge|Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge]]''' - Indicates the temperature of the [[exhaust gas]] just after combustion. If only one reading is provided, it measures the typically hottest cylinder's exhaust. Used to set the air-fuel mixture (leaning) correctly.
*'''[[Cylinder Head Temperature gauge|Cylinder head temperature (CHT) gauge]]''' - Indicates the temperature of at least one of the cylinder heads. The CHT is most directly affected by the volume and temperature of airflow passing over the [[air-cooled]] cylinder heads. Most high-performance engines provide adjustable cowl flaps to manage this airflow and thereby maintain an appropriate CHT.
*'''[[Carburetor heat|Carburetor heat control]]''' - Controls the application of heat to the [[carburetor]] [[Venturi effect|venturi]] area to remove or prevent the formation of ice in the throat of the carburetor as well as bypassing the air filter in case of impact icing.
*'''Alternate air''' - Bypasses the air filter on a fuel-injected engine.