Definition
The combination of components on a piston aircraft engine that crank the engine over and produce the first ignition to get it running. Most light aircraft starting systems consist of a battery, a starter switch or key-operated ignition switch, a starter solenoid, an electric starter motor, and the engagement mechanism that meshes the starter with the engine's flywheel or ring gear. Once the engine fires and runs on its own, the starting system disengages and the magnetos take over ignition.
Plain English
The set of parts that turns the engine over and gets it running when you start the airplane. After the engine catches and runs on its own, the starter drops out of the picture.
Context Anchor
Seen in engine-system descriptions, prestart checks, and troubleshooting when an engine will not turn over or start normally.
Why Pilots Care
Reliable engine starts are required for every flight and directly affect safety on the ground.
Analogy
It works much like a car starter: it does not run the engine after start; it only gets the engine turning so normal operation can begin.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse the starting system with the ignition system or with the pilot's starting procedure. The starting system is the equipment that physically turns the engine during start.
Example Sentence 1
Before turning the key, the pilot checked that the master switch was on so the starting system would have battery power.
Example Sentence 2
Cold-weather operations sometimes require an external power cart to assist the aircraft starting system.