Single-engine Piston Aeroplane (SEP)

Introduction

The tables for SEP refer to a more complex aircraft than the Warrior. The SEP is a monoplane with a reciprocating engine. It has a constant speed propeller, propeller rpm being controlled by the pilot via an rpm (or pitch) lever. The fuel/ air mixture may be “rich“ (more fuel) or “lean” (less fuel). Total fuel/ air mixture going into the engine is adjusted by varying the manifold pressure; the higher the manifold pressure, the more mixture being burnt.

The SEP manifold pressure is measured in inches of mercury; e.g. “25.0 inHg”. As the aircraft climbs, the throttle lever must be advanced, manually, in order to maintain a desired pressure. Sometimes an engine device can add more fuel/ air mixture automatically, without the pilot moving the throttle lever. Eventually, in the climb, an altitude will be reached where manifold pressure can no longer be maintained. In this case, the throttle lever will remain at “maximum forward” and manifold pressure will start to reduce. This altitude is called “full throttle height” and the power is said to be at “full throttle“.

The SEP has a retractable undercarriage. The tables assume that the undercarriage is at the appropriate position for the stage of flight i.e. “down or extended” for landing and take-off, “up or retracted” for climb, cruise and descent. There is no requirement to consider abnormal cases.

Single-engine Piston Aeroplane

(SEP) GRAPHS &TABLES

Please refer to CAP 697 where all the graphs and tables for SEP will be found.

NB. In the EASA Flight Planning exam you will be issued with a workbook instead of the CAP 697 in which will be the necessary pages for that particular paper.

Each graph and table type within CAP 697 has an example to explain how the particular graph or table is used. Therefore, the method is not repeated in these notes.

SEP - Time, Fuel and Distance to Climb Data

(Ref. CAP 697 Fig. 2.1.)

The graph gives time, fuel and distance (NAM) to climb to any height (as pressure altitude and OAT) from MSL. If the airport is at MSL, the climb data can be read from the graph in one pass. If the airport is not at sea level then you have to extract the data for the top of climb (TOC) or initial cruising level, then extract data for the airport and take the airport data away from your cruising level to get the correct figures.

Single-engine Piston Aeroplane (SEP) 4

(SEP) Aeroplane Piston engine-Single 4

Climb Examples

1.Refer to CAP 697 Figure 2.1

What is the time, fuel and distance covered in the climb?

With a 30 kt tailwind; what is the ground distance covered in the climb?

2.Refer to CAP 697 Figure 2.1

What are the time, fuel and distance covered in the climb?

FL120

3000 ft

Difference

With a 40 kt headwind; what is the ground distance covered in the climb?