Like many aviation pioneers, ECi cylinders and parts (more formally known as Engine Components International) got its start equipping American troops across the globe. Europe was engulfed in flames when the company, then called the Pennington Channelcromium Co., was founded in 1943. ECi soon supported the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.

The key innovation was the company’s cylinder barrels, which featured advanced corrosion and wear properties thanks to chromium plating — state-of-the-art technology at the time.

Today, ECi has grown into the largest private aviation piston engine company in the world, and a leading supporter of independent rebuilders. From its headquarters in San Antonio, the company has moved on to newer, better plating methods. It has also pioneered a high-level repair process for major piston engine components, including camshafts, connecting rods, valves, seats, springs, crankcases, and sumps. In fact, ECi is one of the few aviation companies compliant with both ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100 international aerospace standards — rigorous quality management benchmarks that give customers peace of mind and confidence in ECi’s products.

In other words, ECi’s quality has proven to be high enough for mission-critical use by all three branches of the American military, yet consistent enough for unwavering satisfaction from general aviation customers.

Here at Air Power, we’re proud to offer a diverse range of ECi certified replacement parts for both Continental engines and Lycoming engines, including piston rings and gears. And our ECi nickel barrel cylinder kits are crafted from a cutting-edge nickel-carbide process, which gives it extraordinary ability to resist corrosion.

Altogether, we offer 13 different models of ECi cylinders, plus a seemingly limitless assortment of additional replacement parts and products. Contact one of our cylinder specialists, or check out our full catalog of ECi engine accessories for more information.

From our headquarters at Arlington Municipal Airport, we eat, and breathe, and live aviation — an advantage that has helped us lead the industry in general aviation factory engines and parts sales. In fact, our prime location has helped sell more than 28,000 factory engines around the globe.

Here’s why:

1. Central Location

We’re just 30 minutes from downtown Dallas and 20 minutes from Downtown Ft. Worth—just a short drive for most of our corporate customers in the region. Several other leading aviation companies are based here as well, including Bell Helicopters and Van Bortel Aircraft (the largest Cessna dealership in the world), creating an innovative hub of aviation enthusiasm.

Beyond Arlington Municipal, we’re only a short drive minutes from two major commercial hubs (DFW and Dallas Love Field), making it easy for folks to fly in commercially from around the world in order to meet with one of our expert sales reps. Imagine flying in commercially to one of those two hubs, and flying out on your own Cessna. Sounds good to us.

2. Top-Notch Facilities

The airport is small enough to be ideal for general aviation use, yet large enough to have all the facilities needed for professional, top-quality service and sales. More than 150,000 flights operate in and out of Arlington Municipal, thanks in part to a 6,080-foot runway (1,853 meters).

In other words, its a ripe environment for testing, service, and sales. Just land your plane, taxi over to our section, and get the high-quality replacement parts and service you need. In fact, the airport even includes multiple flight schools — how about brushing up on your piloting skills while your plane is getting worked on by the Cessna maintenance specialists at Van Bortel?

Come see us — we’re located at 4900 South Collins, Arlington, TX 76018. We’re the nation’s no. 1 distributor when it comes to factory parts, engines, and cylinders, for Lycoming and Continental Motors.

Lycoming today has announced new pricing for aftermarket engines and parts, effective for orders received at the factory on or after July 5, 2011. Orders at current 2011 prices will be accepted until midnight, July 1, 2011 and must specify immediate delivery. Orders with a scheduled delivery date after July 5 will be subjected to the new pricing.

Superior Air Parts, Inc. announced today that they have extended the warranty coverage on their line of Millennium® cylinders to 25 months or 1000 hours, whichever comes first. The warranty peeriod begins when the cylinder is first placed into service but that date can not be more than one year from the date the cylinder left Superior’s factory. The warranty covers parts only.

Lycoming is no longer offering the piston, 75089 in P010 oversize. The factory has no more inventory and does not plan on putting any more into production. Lcoming does have a small number of 75089-P20 pistons in stock. When these are gone there be no more. Right now there are no PMA pistons available but both ECI and Superior do plan on offering this piston (AEL75089P10 and SL75089A P010) in the future.

Mr. Steve Palmatier, Customer Service Manager of Lycoming Engines has announced that there will be a planned shutdown of the Lycoming factory this summer. Beginning with the close of production on June 24, 2011 the Lycoming engine production facility will be closed and remain closed through July 1, 2011. Engines in stock will be able to ship. Parts like carburetors, fuel injection and other parts that require functional testing may also be delayed.  The following week, July 4 through July 8 there will be a more complete plant shutdown.  No parts or engines will ship during this week but there will be staff for technical and other inquiries (expect some delays in answering calls). Warranty applications can be submitted but will be delayed.

With AvStar design and construction, these just aren’t your father’s carburetors.

They’re stronger. They’re lighter. They’re higher performing.

In fact, on aircraft, two of the most important design factors are simplicity and reliability. Just consider the risks of a breakdown in the sky due to a system that’s over-complicated and prone to collapse. Therefore, well-built aircraft carburetors like the ones we provide from AvStar carry the gold standard in these traits.

So here at Air Power Inc., we’re proud to provide AvStar OEM factory carburetors to our pilot customers. And we’re eager to make it as easy as possible for all of our customers to get the carburetors they need.

Here’s what makes AvStar carburetors stand out:

• More strength — These carburetors are built with a premium 6061-T6 alloy, instead of cast aluminum, making them stronger, tougher, and more reliable.
• Less air flow restriction — The efficient design make it easier to optimize engine power.
• Better air fuel ratio performance — Backed by a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis, the carburetors excel in directing precise flows to critical parts.
• Less weight — These carburetors weigh up to 9 percent less than standard aircraft carburetors, which, of course, is a big advantage in flight.

Whether new or overhauled, the carburetors are fully FAA-approved, rigorously tested, and feature a FAA-PMA approved brass float. In other words, they’re certified as some of the best in the industry.

So we’re making them as inexpensive as possible, with new models for both Lycoming applications and Continental applications ranging from $1,695 to $1,995, and factory overhauled models ranging from $569 to $699.

Check out our comprehensive catalog of AvStar carburetors to get started.

The first wave of aircraft registrations set to expire under the FAA’s new re-registration drive are reaching their deadline – March 31, 2011 – and the FAA is encouraging affected owners to re-register online, now. If you own an aircraft, your will have to re-register sometime within the next three years. The first group targeted for the $5 fee and paperwork are those owners holding registration certificates issued in March of any year prior to 2010. Owners have a three month window to file re-registration applications, a timeframe that has shrunk to weeks for the first wave. You should be receiving a reminder from the FAA when your time approaches. The FAA has provided online tools to help you check when your turn will come and help you through the process. Don’t do it too early and don’t do it too late.

Tanks, Tractors, and Turbines — Diverse Beginnings

Continental Motors was founded all the way back in 1905, when it introduced a four-cylinder, four-cycle L-head motor operated by a single camshaft.

Most famously, however, the company was tasked with developing engines (based on aircraft engine technology) for the U.S. Army’s M47, M48, and M60 Patton tanks —an integral part of America’s military strength during the Cold War. It also developed engines for a variety of tractors, cars and trucks, and industrial machines.

In other words, a big part of American history and life in the 20th century—both in the air and on the ground—was powered by Continental motors.

From NASA to No Refueling Necessary — Continental Takes Flight

Continental got involved in the nascent aviation industry almost immediately after the company’s launch, producing its first type “O” 45-hp engine just a year later in 1906. It never looked back—producing groundbreaking piston engine after groundbreaking piston engine over the next 100 years, including the A-70 radial engine and the first turbocharging and fuel-injection technology in the aviation industry.

The company joined forces with Teledyne in 1960, ushering in a new era of collaboration and innovation. In 1986, a piston-powered aircraft circled the globe without refueling for the first time, thanks to a unique pair of Continental engines. And in 1997, the company was tabbed by NASA to develop and produce a new 200-horsepower engine that operates on Jet-A fuel.

From Wing to Wing, Everything You Need to Fly

At Air Power, Inc., we offer a full suite of OEM Continental engine replacement parts and accessories, including:
·    Fuel pumps
·    Hoses
·    Mounts
·    Piston rings
·    Crankcases
·    Crankshafts
·    Camshafts
·    Pistons
·    Piston pins
·    Rod bolts
·    Vernatherms
·    Magnetos
·    Starters
·    Harnesses
·    Turbochargers

Check out our complete line of Continental motors and parts, or contact one of our aviation experts for more information.

Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corparation, has added Air Power Inc., located at Arlington, Texas Municipal Airport in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, to its worldwide distributor network. Founded in 1992, Air Power is an industry leader in the sale of factory engines and parts for general aviation, with over 27,000 factory engines sold worldwide.

“Air Power is set-up to reach out to owners and operators while still maintaining a high level of support for FBOs and mechanics,” said Michael Everhart, Lycoming’s director of distribution management and customer service. “Its dedication to serving the end user is what makes it an important addition to Lycoming’s distributor network.”

“We are honored to have been chosen to be a Lycoming Distributor,” said Howard G Van Bortel, president of Air Power, Inc. “Lycoming’s product quality, Integrity and focus and dedication to their customers are outstanding! We could not be more exicited about working with the people at Lycoming and all the bendfits it will bring our customers.”

Lycoming maintains a worldwide network of 54 knowledgeable and experienced distribution partners in more than 50 countries. Lycoming Authorized Distributors provide courteous attention and competitive pricing that  continues after the sale with accurate information, service support and warranty assistance.