What is the term for the actual power delivered to the propeller of an aircraft engine?

Prepare for the FAA Reciprocating Powerplant Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with explanations and hints. Enhance your knowledge and ace your exam!

The term for the actual power delivered to the propeller of an aircraft engine is brake horsepower. This measurement represents the engine’s output power after accounting for losses due to friction, internal components, and any other factors that reduce overall power. Brake horsepower is obtained directly from a dynamometer test, which measures the engine’s performance at the output shaft without any additional power losses such as those that occur in the propeller or other mechanisms.

Indicated horsepower refers to the total power produced by the engine's combustion process, as measured in the cylinders, without considering any losses. It represents the engine's potential power output but does not reflect the usable power delivered to the propeller or other systems.

Friction horsepower is a term used to denote the power consumed by the engine's internal workings due to friction and other inefficiencies. It is a portion of the overall power output that does not contribute to the effective work performed by the engine and thus is not relevant for assessing power delivered to the propeller.

Brake horsepower is essential for understanding an engine's performance in practice, making it crucial for pilots and engineers when it comes to engine tuning and aircraft performance evaluations.

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