Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 110; Flight Crew Total 750; Flight Crew Type 710
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
I departed Runway XX with a student for a flight lesson. We turned left and Tower assigned heading of 030 and [to] contact Departure. Shortly thereafter; for unknown reasons; the engine dropped from full power ~2300RPM to ~1500RPM for about 5 seconds. I immediately pushed the nose down; took controls from my student with a 3 way handoff; turned toward the field; and [requested priority handling] in the turn back to the airport. At this point the engine smoothed out and seemed to be operating normally; however I was not taking any chances. Another aircraft that was not involved requested the controller to repeat an instruction; and with my close proximity to to the field; being less than a mile; flying toward departing traffic; I decided to switch to Tower and not repeat myself on approach frequency. After switching; Tower says 'Aircraft X what are you doing?' In an obviously concerned voice. I stated I was [requesting priority handling] and landing Runway XY. He pointed out the traffic on the departure end of Runway XX. I had the traffic in sight before he said that. I called visual with the traffic and stated I was landing XY; which then; Tower cleared me to land. I made an uneventful landing on Runway XY and taxied back to the ramp to park.
C-152 Instructor reported an air return due to engine power loss on initial climb.