Definition
An exhaust-driven air compressor fitted to a piston engine that uses energy from the engine's exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which in turn drives a compressor that forces a denser charge of air into the engine's induction system. This restores or increases manifold pressure at altitude, allowing the engine to maintain rated power where the surrounding air is too thin to support it naturally.
Plain English
A device that uses the engine's own exhaust to spin a small fan, which packs more air into the engine. This lets the engine keep making strong power even at high altitudes where the air is thin.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft engine systems, powerplant maintenance, high-altitude performance, and manifold pressure discussions.
Derivation
From 'turbo' (Latin turbo, a spinning or whirling thing) referring to the turbine wheel spun by exhaust, and 'supercharger,' meaning a device that 'super-charges' the engine with extra air. Together: a supercharger driven by an exhaust-powered turbine. Knowing this helps separate it from a belt- or gear-driven supercharger, which takes its power directly from the engine.
Why Pilots Care
Enables piston aircraft to climb higher, fly faster, and carry more load without engine power loss due to thin air.
Grounding Statement
At altitude, the air is thinner, so the turbosupercharger helps the engine breathe by compressing the air before it enters the cylinders.
Intuition Check
A turbosupercharger does not create power by itself. It helps the engine make power by supplying denser air for combustion.
Example Sentence 1
At 18,000 feet the turbosupercharger was still maintaining sea-level manifold pressure, so the engine was producing full rated power.
Example Sentence 2
The turbosupercharger allowed the engine to produce rated power at 12,000 feet during the cross-country flight.