Section 7
Columbia 400 (LC41-550FG)
Description of the Airplane and Systems
Initial Issue of Manual: November 10, 2004
RC050002
Latest Revision Level/Date: -/11-10-2004
7-19
ENGINE
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
The airplane engine is a Teledyne Continental Motors Aircraft Engine Model TSIO-550-C. It is a
twin-turbocharged, horizontally opposed, six-cylinder, fuel injected, air-cooled engine that uses a
high-pressure, wet-sump type of oil system for lubrication. There is a full flow, spin-on,
disposable oil filter. The engine has top air induction, an engine mounted throttle body, and a
bottom exhaust system. On the front of the engine, accessories include a hydraulically operated
propeller governor, a gear driven alternator, and a belt driven alternator. Rear engine accessories
include a starter, gear-driven oil pump, gear-driven fuel pump, and dual gear-driven magnetos.
Turbochargers –
The TSIO-550-C has twin turbochargers, which use exhaust gas flow to
provide high pressure air to the engine for increased power. There is one turbocharger on each
side of the engine. The hot gas flow from the left side exhaust drives the left turbocharger and
the hot gas flow from the right side exhaust drives the turbocharger on the right side. The
turbocharger compresses and raises the temperature of the incoming air before going to the
intercoolers. The compressed air is then run through the intercoolers where it is cooled down
before entering the throttle body and cylinders. The dual turbochargers are lubricated from
external oil lines supplied from a source at the bottom of the oil cooler. There is one mechanical
wastegate on the left side of the engine. The wastegate controls the amount of high pressure air
to the engine by automatically sensing manifold pressure. An overboost valve in the induction
system provides protection from too much pressure.
ENGINE CONTROLS
Throttle
– The throttle controls the volume of air that enters the cylinders. The control has a
black circular knob and is located to the right of the rocker switch panel and above the radios.
The throttle has a friction control collar that increases or decreases the pressure required to
advance or retard the control. It is used to lock the throttle at a particular manifold pressure
setting. When it is turned clockwise, the friction is increased; turning counterclockwise decreases
the friction. Changes in throttle settings are displayed on the manifold gauge. Moving the throttle
forward increases engine power and manifold pressure, while moving it back will reduce power
and manifold pressure.
Propeller
–
The propeller control allows the pilot to vary the speed or RPM of the propeller. The
control has a blue knob with large raised ridges around the circumference and is located between
the throttle and the mixture controls. The control has a vernier feature, which permits small
adjustments by rotating the knob either clockwise (increase) or counterclockwise (decrease).
Large adjustments, such as “exercising the prop” (moving the control to the full aft position), can
be made by pressing in the locking button in the center of the knob and moving the control as
desired. The high-speed position is with the control full forward.
Mixture
–
The mixture control allows the pilot to vary the ratio of the fuel-air mixture. The
control has a red knob with small raised ridges around the circumference and is located to the left
of the flap switch, above the radios. The control has a vernier feature, which permits small
adjustments by rotating the knob either clockwise (increase) or counterclockwise (decrease).
Large adjustments, such as when the control is set to idle cutoff (moving the control to the full
aft position), can be made by pressing in the locking button in the center of the knob and moving
the control as desired. The richest position is with the control full forward.
