Definition
A misspelling or variant rendering of 'point contacts,' referring to the small electrical contact points inside a magneto's breaker assembly that open and close to interrupt the primary current and trigger the high-voltage spark sent to the spark plugs. Each contact is a hardened metal tip — one stationary, one movable — driven open by a cam riding on the magneto's rotating shaft.
Plain English
Tiny metal tips inside the magneto that touch and separate as the engine turns. Each time they snap apart, the magneto produces the spark that fires a spark plug.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance discussions of magnetos, ignition systems, and electrical breaker assemblies.
Derivation
Point' here means a small, precise tip — the same sense as the 'point' of a pencil. The contact is made at a tiny spot, not across a wide surface, which is why it is called a point contact rather than just a contact.
Why Pilots Care
Worn, pitted, or improperly gapped point contacts are a common cause of rough running, hard starting, and magneto failure. Magneto timing — which directly affects engine performance and detonation margins — depends on the points opening at exactly the right moment in the rotation.
Analogy
Think of a light switch. When the switch closes, electricity can flow; when it opens, the flow stops. Point contacts do that same basic job inside a small mechanical assembly.
Intuition Check
Do not read pint as the liquid measure. In this context, the intended term is almost certainly point contacts: small electrical contact surfaces that open and close a circuit.
Example Sentence 1
During the 500-hour magneto inspection, the mechanic checked the point contacts for pitting and verified the gap was within limits.
Example Sentence 2
Corrosion on the pint contacts caused intermittent engine roughness during the last flight.