Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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 take over ignition.