Generally speaking, the piston engine functions much like a typical automobile engine. By taking in air from the surrounding environment and mixing it with fuel, these aircraft engine types work by burning the fuel to produce heated gas exhaust to move a piston attached to a crankshaft. But while the automotive drivetrain uses its crankshaft to turn the wheels of a car, a piston propeller engine crankshaft is directly connected to one or more propellers.

Remarkably, most of today's small general aviation and private aircraft are still powered by piston engines from manufacturers like Lycoming and Continental®. These types of aircraft engines are among some of the most efficient at their respective power outputs and are less expensive to purchase and operate. However, the bigger you go, the less efficient they become.