Continental A40 Explained

The Continental A40 engine is a carbureted four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engine that was developed especially for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors. It was produced between 1931 and 1941.[1] [2] [3]

Design and development

The 370NaN0 A40 was introduced in the depths of the Great Depression. At the time there were a number of small engines available but all suffered from either high cost, complexity, or low reliability. The A-40 addressed all those shortcomings and was instrumental in the production of light aircraft in the difficult economic constraints of the period. The A-40-4 introduced an increase in power to 400NaN0. The engine later inspired the A-50 and subsequent engines.[4]

The A40 featured single ignition until the A-40-5 version, which introduced dual ignition. All engines in this family have a 5.2:1 compression ratio and were designed to run on fuel with a minimum octane rating of 73.

The entire family of engines had its certification terminated on 1 November 1941. Engines produced before that date are still certified, but none can be produced after that date.

Variants

A40
  • Single ignition, 370NaN0 at 2550 rpm, dry weight 1440NaN0
    A40-2
  • Single ignition, 370NaN0 at 2550 rpm, dry weight 1440NaN0
    A-40-3
  • Single ignition, 370NaN0 at 2550 rpm, dry weight 1440NaN0 Featured cadmium-nickel connecting rod bearings.[5]
    A40-4
  • Single ignition, 400NaN0 at 2575 rpm, dry weight 1440NaN0, Steel backed connecting rod inserts
    A40-5
  • Dual ignition, 400NaN0 at 2575 rpm, dry weight 1560NaN0

    Applications

    Engines on display

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Continental A-40. 2011-09-26. Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
    2. Web site: Approved Type Certificate 72. 2019-01-11. Federal Aviation Administration. November 1941.
    3. Web site: Approved Type Certificate 174. 2019-01-11. Federal Aviation Administration. November 1941.
    4. Christy, Joe: Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights, pages 8-9. TAB Books, 1983.
    5. December 1959. Question & Answer Department. Sport Aviation. 25.
    6. Web site: Fahlin Propellers. 2008-12-13. Wooden props. 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20131228205513/http://www.modernwoodenpropellers.com/fahlin.htm. 2013-12-28. dead.
    7. Web site: ATC 660 data sheet. 2011-09-27. Federal Aviation Administration. 2016-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20161228120330/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/9ae985fe2a4d8847862572c9006eda41/$FILE/ATTQ7W2D/ATC660.pdf. dead.
    8. Web site: Aircraft Specification No. A-691. 2011-09-27. Federal Aviation Administration. 2009-11-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20091104012234/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/f323caa28762f4c486257209007258d4/$FILE/A-691.pdf. dead.
    9. Web site: TC 637 data sheet. 2011-09-26. Federal Aviation Administration. 2016-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20161115150037/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/c5212f553b7d781585256738005b6aa4/$FILE/ATT1FXKA/TC637.pdf. dead.

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