Reciprocating Engine | How does a Piston Engine Work

Jet.Nerd on Instagram: "🔧 How Do Reciprocating (Piston) Engines Work in Aircraft? ✈️ Before the jet age, reciprocating engines ruled the skies — and they’re still powering many general aviation aircraft today. ⸻ ⚙️ The Basics: A reciprocating engine works just like a car engine but optimized for flight: 1️⃣ Air + Fuel Intake → mixture enters the cylinder. 2️⃣ Compression → piston squeezes the mixture. 3️⃣ Ignition → spark plugs ignite, creating an explosion. 4️⃣ Power Stroke → piston moves down