Magneto

A magneto is an engine component found in aircraft engines that generates high voltage used to ignite spark plugs. It is a self-contained and engine-driven unit that can supply electrical current solely to the spark plugs, making it completely independent of the airplane’s electrical system. Typically, aircraft engines have two magnetos per engine to ensure redundancy and reliability. The magneto works by converting rotational energy from the engine into high voltage electrical current that is then sent to the spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture within the engine’s cylinders. Without the magneto, the engine would not be able to start or run. Therefore, it is a critical component of any aircraft engine, enabling the safe and reliable operation of the aircraft.