Aircraft systems

An aircraft is a complex system. In the design stage and in the flight and maintenance manuals (used by pilot and maintenance technicians) it is broken down into simpler systems that carry out homogeneous functions. Some examples include but are not limited to:

• Electrical
• Hydraulics
• Oxygen
• Fuel
  Fuel system
  An aircraft fuel system allows the crew to store, manage, and deliver fuel to the propulsion system of an aircraft. Fuel systems differ greatly due to different performance of the aircraft in which they are installed...
  
  
• Propulsion
  Aircraft engine
  An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
  
  
• Navigation
• Flight controls
• Ice protection (antiicing and deicing)
• Cooling System

Controls and displays in the cockpit panels are usually grouped by system.

Introduction to Aircraft system is one of the subjects for the degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol.

Aircraft systems and their operations are described in the Flight Manual of the Aircraft (the so called -1 in Military slang) in part 1.