Definition 1 of 2
Definition
An aircraft engine starter that uses the high-pressure gas produced by burning a solid propellant cartridge to spin the engine up to starting speed. The cartridge is loaded into a breech, ignited electrically, and the expanding gases drive a turbine wheel that is geared to the engine.
Plain English
A starter that uses a small explosive charge, like a large shotgun shell, to produce the burst of gas needed to spin the engine fast enough to start it.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of older aircraft, military aircraft, and aircraft that may need to start without normal ground power or battery power.
Derivation
Cartridge originally meant a paper or metal case holding a measured charge of gunpowder. The same idea applies here: a sealed case holding a measured charge of propellant, used to deliver a quick, powerful burst of energy on demand.
Why Pilots Care
It provides a self-contained way to start engines without ground power carts or heavy batteries, which can be critical in remote or military operations.
Analogy
Think of it as using a shotgun shell to give the engine its first kick instead of turning it with a battery or hand crank.
Intuition Check
Do not think of cartridge starter as a normal electric starter with a different name. The key idea is that the starting force comes from an ignited cartridge charge, not from an electric motor.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot loaded a fresh cartridge into the breech before attempting the engine start.
Example Sentence 2
During the engine run-up, the cartridge starter fired cleanly and brought the propeller through several revolutions until combustion began.