One might assume that there is only one way for an engine's crankshaft to work, but that is not the case. In actuality, there are two different crankshafts: flat-plane and cross-plane cranks.

Ever fantasized about building your own airplane? Even one of the least expensive ... drive”—the propeller is bolted directly to the crankshaft and turns at the engine’s rpm.

The opposing pairs of four-cylinders drove a common crankshaft that was geared to the central propeller shaft. Ordinarily, a heavily loaded airplane would be equipped with a constant-speed ...