Here at Air Power, Inc., we’re proud to offer a comprehensive range of Lycoming engines — for several reasons:

• They’re committed to excellence.
• They’re innovative. Very, very innovative.
• They’re committed to pioneering better, more affordable flying experiences for general aviation pilots of all skill levels.

For example, Lycoming first approved an unleaded fuel, AVGAS 91/96 UL, for more than 30 engine models in 1995. Recently, however, Lycoming began exploring new ways to make more widespread the use of UL 91 avgas – and it looks like they’ll succeed.

The company recently applied for approval in Europe to use UL 91 avgas with several of its lines of engines, including its 233-, 235-, 320- and 360-series (with some 540-series engines available shortly thereafter). According to a Lycoming spokesman, the approval process should take only weeks.

“Many of our engines have been approved to operate on unleaded aviation fuel since 1995,” says Michael Kraft, Lycoming senior vice president and general manager in a statement released by the company. “Recognizing that not every fuel is available worldwide, we are continuously working to expand our specified fuels list to give pilots the flexibility they need to operate safely in the broadest range of locations. Our approval of UL 91 supports recent actions by European fuel producers and EASA to stabilize aviation fuel supplies for light aircraft and respond to environmental concerns over lead in aviation fuel.”

Still, it might take some time to be able to use such an engine in the U.S. airspace.

According to AVWeb:

[A Lycoming spokesman] told AVweb, Wednesday, “If your engine is approved on this fuel then your airframe is automatically approved … in the EU. In the U.S., if the engine is approved, you may still need approval for the airframe.” The first U.S. approvals should greet engines that were originally approved on 80/87 avgas. Those engines usually are approved for 80/87 or higher octane fuel. Some engine models may have received type certificates after 80/87 stopped being available, but should be able to run it also. Those engines will need to be “validated,” Miller said, citing the “weeks — not months” timeline.

Kraft says that UL 91 is not a replacement for 100LL (low-leaded fuel) — it’s not even available from any major distributors yet in the United States — but it is an ideal alternative for aviation needs to automotive gasoline. However, Lycoming is determined to find a long-term unleaded 100LL replacement fuel.

If you have questions about when your Lycoming engine will be approved to run on UL 91 avgas – or if you have questions about whether or not your aircraft will qualify, give us a call.  Or go ahead and take a look at our complete line of tough, top-quality Lycoming engine accessories.

Two bits of news from our friends at Lycoming Engines about their unparalleled line of factory rebuilt and overhauled engines:

1. Engines are Going to Cost Just a Little Bit More

The company will be slightly increasing prices on most aftermarket engines and service parts. According to the Lycoming:

Over the past six years, all product lines have been value priced to reflect market values and provide competitive prices. This year’s pricing exercise does not reflect an “across the board” approach; instead it incorporates pricing increases by specific product line and part or commodity category.

2. Starters Eliminated for Increased Customer Control

The company says that it has received regular requests to either supply engines without starters or with starters that are different than the ones listed. Changing or eliminating the starter usually requires the creation of a new engine part number and unique bill of material.

In response, Lycoming will no longer provide starters on rebuilt and overhauled exchange engines (also beginning January 1). New engines will continue to be shipped with the original OEM starter.

For aircraft builders and owners, this allows them more flexibility of choice concerning starters and greater access to newer, state-of-the-art starter models, designs and technology (for example, check out our extensive line of aircraft starters). Also, for those who have only recently installed a replacement starter, this change allows them to make full use of that investment instead of prematurely replacing a perfectly good starter.

Here at Air Power, Inc., we’re proud to provide a comprehensive line of Lycoming engines, engine parts and cylinders — at affordable prices. If you have any questions about how these changes will affect our prices or product offering, contact us to learn more.

1. The company has been industry leaders since long before the Wright Brother invented the airplane

(The company just wasn’t building plane engines for the first eight decades of its existence).

Lycoming was first founded all the way back in 1845—58 years before the Wright Brothers first took flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina—by Madame Ellen Curtis Demores in what was then known as the Lumber Capital of the World, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. But for the first half century of its existence, the company was known for, of all things, building high-quality sewing machines, high-performing bicycles, and a high-society fashion magazine (in addition to typewriters, gas irons, opera chairs, and a random smattering of other products).

While those early ventures have little to do with the company’s sparkling reputation today, excellence in those fields still laid the groundwork for the aviation success that would eventually follow. Finally, in 1910, the company released its first line of engines—the first of 57 different models for more than 250 different automobiles.

2. The company helped the “Golden Age of Aviation” take flight

Think Charles Lindbergh, and the “Spirit of St. Lous” — the first nonstop overseas flight from New York to Paris. Think biplanes and triplanes and pilots still sporting goggles. Lycoming Engines helped make America the first nation to truly soar.

In 1929—nearly 90 years after the company’s founding—Lycoming produced its first aviation engine—a nine-cylinder R-680 radial that successfully carved out a permanent chunk of light aircraft market share. The first flight, which took place just two years after Lindbergh’s famous flight, powered a Beech-designed TravelAir biplane. It established Lycoming as one of the world’s leading piston aircraft engine manufacturers. And it was just the first of more than 25,000 R-680 radial engines the company would build over the next 20 years.

3. The company powers half the world’s general aviation fleet

The company continued to broaden its capabilities and product line, consistently pioneering newer and newer generations of aviation technology. In 1987, Textron (which has developed such brands as Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter) and Lycoming joined forces to become one of two premier, industry-leading piston aircraft engine providers we here at Air Power, Inc. are proud to sell. Altogether, Lycoming has built more than 325,000 such engines, developing a complete line of horizontally opposed, air-cooled, four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines that dominate the world’s general aviation fleet.

We’re proud to carry a full line of Lycoming aircraft products like cylinders, hoses, and pistons (sorry—no sewing machines). Check out our comprehensive catalog of Lycoming parts, or contact our Lycoming engine specialists for more information. Together with Lycoming, we’ll get you up in the air in no time.