15 https://doi.org/10.26552/aer.C.2020.2.3 EXPERIMENTAL STATE OF THRUST TESTING OF AIRCRAFT RECIPROCATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Matúš Mrva Air Transport Department University of Zilina Univerzitná 8215/1 010 26, Žilina mattusmrva@gmail.com Iveta Škvareková Air Transport Department University of Zilina Univerzitná 8215/1 010 26, Žilina iveta.skvarekova@fpedas.uniza.sk Pavol Pecho Air Transport Department University of Zilina Univerzitná 8215/1 010 26, Žilina pavol.pecho@fpedas.uniza.sk Martin Bugaj Air Transport Department University of Zilina Univerzitná 8215/1 010 26, Žilina martin.bugaj@fpedas.uniza.sk Michal Hrúz Air Transport Department University of Zilina Univerzitná 8215/1 010 26, Žilina michal.hruz@stud.uniza.sk Abstract The project “Experimental State of Thrust Testing of Aircraft Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine” is aimed at creating a complex measuring device in order to obtain selected characteristics and parameters of the engine using different types of propellers. In addition to the basic measured parameters such as. thrust, temperature, speed and fuel flow will be a state of the art to test the latest prototype propellers designed for aircraft models. After its construction, the experimental state will be used as a study aid for testing various types of conventional as well as currently developed propellers, engine characteristics and teaching of the whole equipment in the process of teaching, training of aircraft mechanics and for presentation purposes of the University of Žilina. Keywords aircraft engine, aircraft propeller, thrust test Introduction At present, simple experimental stands with insufficient sensor equipment are used in radio controlled (RC) aviation to measure thrust and engine parameters. If electronic systems are used, these devices are costly and therefore the designers resort only to a cheap, basic and often quite inaccurate variant of the production of a simple stool using a load cell (Kovář, 1962). At present, there is no similar and unique experimental state within the universities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia focused on aircraft technology for experimental measuring thrust testing characteristics of RC aircraft propellers, which gives the project uniqueness. Manufacturers of large propulsion units and propellers test their prototypes in test rooms that are financially unaffordable for the needs of the university (Beňo, 1985)). It is the use of a model combustion piston engine and propellers to the required scale that make it possible to imitate the conditions of large test rooms on campus for relatively small funds in the form of experimental measuring device. In addition to the design, it should be noted that the technologies themselves for monitoring the parameters of model engines and their use, whether in solving problems with new propeller prototypes or as a laboratory prototype designed for teaching and measurement exercises make the project unique. 1.1. Inovative solution The creation of such a device could bring a financially inexpensive variant of the device for experimental measuring thrust testing of various types of engines, testing new types of propellers for the University of Žilina and at the same time serve as a teaching aid for students studying this field and increase learning efficiency and interest about field of study. In addition to the teaching process itself, the project would be a contribution to the certification of an aircraft maintenance technician under the "EASA Part 147" regulation, which will be an essential part of the Aircraft Maintenance Technology study field. Specifically, it would be category B1 - certifying maintenance technician for two subcategories. They are B1.2 - Aeroplanes with Piston Engines, B1.4 - Helicopters with Piston Engines. And at the same time category B2 - certifying maintenance technician for all types of aeroplanes. The possibility of designing a fully functional prototype to test the characteristics on a reduced scale and while maintaining the relevance of the outputs is the main essence of an innovative solution for research and study of current needs of construction and design of aircraft propellers. Materials & Methods The implementation of the design and construction of the device is expected to be implemented in three main phases of