Name the two types of inverters common to aircraft.

• A. Analog and Digital
• B. Rotary and Static (Solid State)
• C. Linear and Nonlinear
• D. Magnetic and Electrical

Answer: (B)

In aircraft power systems, inverters turn DC power into AC for avionics and other equipment. There are two common forms: rotary and static (solid-state).

Rotary inverters use a DC motor driven by the aircraft’s engine or APU to spin a generator, producing AC. They have moving parts, which means more maintenance and some sensitivity to speed, but they’ve historically been able to deliver substantial power.

Static inverters rely on power electronics to switch DC into AC, with no moving parts. They’re lighter, respond quickly, and generally provide more consistent voltage and frequency (often 400 Hz in aviation) for sensitive avionics.

The other options aren’t standard classifications for aircraft inverters: analog/digital relates to control methods, linear/nonlinear to circuit behavior, and magnetic/electrical isn’t a typical inverter category.