magneto
/maɡˈniːtəʊ
/noun (plural magnetos)
A small electric generator containing a permanent magnet and used to provide high-voltage pulses, especially (formerly) in the ignition systems of internal combustion engines.A review of the aircraft's maintenance records did not disclose any previous work written up as having been performed on the magnetos or engine ignition system....
- If it's fuel or oil pressure, think pumps; for fuel quantity, think tanks or cross-feed; for temperature, think mixture, cowl flaps and air flow; for air, think carburetor heat or alternate air; and for ignition, think magnetos.
- Wartime models had only steel wheels, a magneto and hand crank, instead of a battery.
Origin
Late 19th century: abbreviation of magneto-electric.