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Air bottle storage pressure in high-pressure pneumatic systems

Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice question 10 of 15 on Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems. ACS element AM.II.F.K5 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONIn a high-pressure pneumatic system, air is usually stored in metal bottles at pressures ranging from what values?

  1. A30 to 50 psi
  2. B1,000 to 3,000 psi
  3. C3,000 to 5,000 psi in the main bottle
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 1,000 to 3,000 psi

  • A — incorrect That range corresponds to the low pressure used to pressurize a fluid-pressurized hydraulic reservoir, not to pneumatic storage bottles.
  • B — correct For high-pressure systems, air is usually stored in metal bottles at pressures ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 psi, depending on the particular system.
  • C — incorrect The upper figure given for high-pressure pneumatic storage is 3,000 psi; no 5,000 psi storage value is given.

BACKGROUND

Some aircraft manufacturers have equipped their aircraft with a high pressure pneumatic system of 3,000 psi. Such systems operate a great deal like hydraulic systems except that they employ air instead of a liquid to transmit power, and they have been used for brakes, opening and closing doors, driving pumps and starters, and operating emergency devices. For high-pressure systems, air is usually stored in metal bottles at pressures ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 psi depending on the particular system. The bottle has a charging valve, to which a ground-operated compressor can be connected, and a control valve that acts as a shutoff keeping air trapped inside the bottle until the system is operated.

STUDY TIP

Note that a bottled-air system cannot be recharged in flight, which is why its supply is reserved for emergency operation rather than continuous use.

KEY POINTS

  • High-pressure pneumatic storage bottles hold 1,000 to 3,000 psi.
  • Each bottle has a charging valve and a control (shutoff) valve.
  • Bottled air cannot be replenished in flight, so it is reserved for emergency operation.

SOURCES

  • sources/ama-airframe/ch12.txt "High-Pressure Systems"
  • sources/ama-airframe/ch12.txt "Aircraft Pneumatic Systems"
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-31B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Airframe, and 14 CFR part 43. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.