How does a magneto actually work? Many student pilots memorise it, but few truly understand what’s happening inside. A magneto is a self-contained ignition system that doesn’t rely on the battery or alternator. That’s why your engine keeps running, even if your electrical system fails. Inside the magneto, a rotating magnet passes over a coil, generating a high voltage through electromagnetic induction. This voltage is sent to the spark plugs, creating the spark that ignites your fuel-air mixture