It’s surprising to many that traditional mechanical magnetos are still the industry standard aircraft ignition. The reason is simple but significant. Magnetos have one important property that makes them so attractive and appropriate for aviation. They make their own electrical power. They’re immune to interruption of the aircraft electrical bus. Their down-side is they produce limited spark energy and they have fixed timing. But in terms of independent power – magnetos have it right.

“I love the fact that they are self energizing like standard magnetos, and can stand alone from the aircraft’s electrical system. Timing them is so easy it’s hard to believe.” Danny King,  flying (and with his) “Beautiful Doll”, DUAL E-MAGs

E-MAG’s are the exception. They have a purpose-built electronic ignition, mated with a built-in permanent magnet alternator. E-MAGs automatically shift between the internal alternator and external (aircraft bus) power as needed – no operator action required. With two sources of operating power, E-MAGs have the kind of electrical redundancy that’s so desirable [essential] for aviation applications. A dual E-MAG installation is actually triple redundant, and does not require supplemental emergency power provisions (i.e., no need to keep an old-fashion magneto).