Prueba de magnetos

A 90-minute, 4-round basic Express simulation for Spanish vocational training (Formacion Profesional), module 1456 Motores de piston (Tecnico Superior en Mantenimiento Aeromecanico de Aviones con Motor de Piston, Real Decreto 1444/2018).

The learner is the newly qualified technician of a fictional small maintenance organisation at a fictional aerodrome in Aragon who handles the ignition and engine faults of a flight school's fleet of single-engine piston trainers over the four quarters of a year.

Eight diagnostic and airworthiness decisions over four rounds: the order of checks on an excessive magneto drop, the differential compression test, the spark plugs, the oil filter, the release of an aircraft due for a skill test, the maintenance records, the replacement magneto and the review of the year.

Scored on fleet available, workshop cost a week, failed diagnoses and false airworthy releases; three tempting choices come back later, and two critical errors (the certificate of release to service signed with the drop out of limits, a used magneto fitted without its certificate) cap the round. Lesson: the airworthiness decision is taken with data, not in a hurry. Training level only.

Spanish primary, English parity. All companies, aerodromes, schools, aircraft and people are fictional.

An introductory simulation that assumes no prior knowledge of the subject, designed for undergraduate courses. It also works in vocational and high-school programmes and in onboarding sessions.