This paper examines the selected constructions of piston for aircraft CI engines and discusses tendencies in a development of piston designs. The paper addresses the question of using new materials and coatings to improve quality of pistons and the study of heat transfer and methods to absorb heat from a piston by means of cooling ducts. The selected materials were examined in terms of their advantages and drawbacks. The paper discusses different shapes of piston heads and their impact on combustion as well as indicates other factors behind parameters of combustion and toxic emission like injector shape types, lubrication types and clearances in the combustion chamber.