Engine Numbering

[Der Mensch]

Hello Everyone,

I have often wondered how the engines on multi-engine planes are numbered. I have heard many versions on how they are numbered. Examples of a four-engine plane: 1.) 12|34 2.) 31|24 3.) 41|23 and the list goes on. Can someone clarify for good what the real numbering is?

 

[Nonskimmer]

Would you mind narrowing your avatar? It's waaaay too wide. Use the Focke-Wulf in your sig instead.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Hello Everyone,

I have often wondered how the engines on multi-engine planes are numbered. I have heard many versions on how they are numbered. Examples of a four-engine plane: 1.) 12|34 2.) 31|24 3.) 41|23 and the list goes on. Can someone clarify for good what the real numbering is?

Numbered?!? Left to right 1,2,3,and 4. I've never heard any other way an I worked on multi engine planes ranging in size to a Piper Scenica to a B747, C-130s and P-3s on the military side.

Are you talking about recip engine cubic inch displacement? R1830, R2800, R3350?!?

 

[Der Mensch]

No what I meant by the 31|24 (or others) is that the engines were numbered left to right 3 1 2 4 with the | representing the fusalage.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

No what I meant by the 31|24 (or others) is that the engines were numbered left to right 3 1 2 4 with the | representing the fusalage.

Engines are always numbered 1,2,3,4 left to right, sitting in the pilots seat (the left seat). Now the starting sequence on a specific aircraft may reflect what your looking for. Depending on the aircraft sometimes #2 was started first because it carried a generator or air power unit that were used to start the other engines. In other cases it might of been an engine that housed a hydraulic pump in its accessory section with that pump being needed to work a piece of equipment. Sometimes 2 and 3 were started first and as the aircraft were taxing 1 and 4 were started. Hope this answers your question...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

interestingly the BBMF lanc has a different engine start proceedure to the Mynarski lanc, but the engines are numbered the same...........

 

[FLYBOYJ]

The only thing I could think of is the Mynarski Lanc, being operated in Canada has an "operation spec" (Issued by Transport Canada, they work similar to the FAA here in the states) which dictates how the aircraft is operated, including start procedures. Perhaps either the operator or a DOT puke decided to have things done differently....

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

if i can be fucked i'll look sometime

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

and no CC, that's not an invitation

 

[FLYBOYJ]

 

[Gnomey]

 

[Lunatic]

No what I meant by the 31|24 (or others) is that the engines were numbered left to right 3 1 2 4 with the | representing the fusalage.

Engines are always numbered 1,2,3,4 left to right, sitting in the pilots seat (the left seat). Now the starting sequence on a specific aircraft may reflect what your looking for. Depending on the aircraft sometimes #2 was started first because it carried a generator or air power unit that were used to start the other engines. In other cases it might of been an engine that housed a hydraulic pump in its accessory section with that pump being needed to work a piece of equipment. Sometimes 2 and 3 were started first and as the aircraft were taxing 1 and 4 were started. Hope this answers your question...

Are you sure this is true for all nations? Also, are you sure it was always the case?

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

This is sort of off topic and I can not say it is true for all nations or for all aircraft but just an example is my Blackhawk the number the 1 engine is on the left side and the number 2 engine is on the right side.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

well i'd imagine it was/is generally accepted that way in the western world............

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

That is what I think also, but I am not sure.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

No what I meant by the 31|24 (or others) is that the engines were numbered left to right 3 1 2 4 with the | representing the fusalage.

Engines are always numbered 1,2,3,4 left to right, sitting in the pilots seat (the left seat). Now the starting sequence on a specific aircraft may reflect what your looking for. Depending on the aircraft sometimes #2 was started first because it carried a generator or air power unit that were used to start the other engines. In other cases it might of been an engine that housed a hydraulic pump in its accessory section with that pump being needed to work a piece of equipment. Sometimes 2 and 3 were started first and as the aircraft were taxing 1 and 4 were started. Hope this answers your question...

Are you sure this is true for all nations? Also, are you sure it was always the case?

For the most part - YES at least for Western aircraft....

 

[FLYBOYJ]

This is sort of off topic and I can not say it is true for all nations or for all aircraft but just an example is my Blackhawk the number the 1 engine is on the left side and the number 2 engine is on the right side.

Helicopters may be backwards and (no pun) and defined by the manufacturing, but engine numbering is pretty standard....

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

No I was actually agreeing with you. You said engines were numbered 1,2,3,4... from left to right. My number 1 is on the left my number 2 is on the right.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

No I was actually agreeing with you. You said engines were numbered 1,2,3,4... from left to right. My number 1 is on the left my number 2 is on the right.

Oh ok, I'm backwards, its from working on helicopters!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

LOL Hey now are you saying that I am backwards?!