Fuel-Injected Engines

Piston engines rated at more than 200 hp often use a fuel-injection system rather than a carburetor. The Extra 300S in Flight Simulator is equipped with a fuel-injected engine.A fuel-injection system squirts fuel directly into the cylinders or just ahead of the intake valve. The fuel then mixes with air in the cylinders. Because this type of system requires high-pressure pumps, a air/fuel control unit, fuel distributor, and discharge nozzles for each cylinder, it's generally more expensive than a carburetor.As with an engine equipped with a carburetor, the pilot controls the flow of fuel by adjusting the mixture control.

Advantages of Fuel Injection

Fuel injection has several advantages over a carbureted fuel system which compensate for its greater cost and complexity.

1. No possibility of carburetor ice (although impact ice can block air intakes).
2. Better fuel flow.
3. Faster throttle response.
4. Precise control of mixture.
5. Better fuel distribution.
6. Easier cold weather starts.

Disadvantages of Fuel Injection

Fuel injection does have some disadvantages, the most important being:

1. Difficulty in starting a hot engine.
2. Vapor locks during ground operations on hot days.
3. Difficulty restarting an engine that quits because of fuel starvation.