Aero-TV: Lycoming Comes Alive At Oshkosh 2008!

"powerful" one... what they described as a 'new standard' for piston engine controls in its IE2 Series engines. Starting with its twin-turbocharged, 350-HP TEO-540-A1A flat six, Lycoming plans to certify its new Integrated Electronic Engine technology across its entire line. Sr. VP and General Manager Ian Walsh explained that the 540 was chosen to get the technology first, not because the company felt the demand was greatest on that platform, but because it would show that the system was ready for even one of Lycoming's largest, most complex, most powerful products. The IE2 technology essentially brings the legacy engine configurations in line with the technology found on high end automotive control platforms. Fuel delivery, timing and other performance factors are managed, not as overall averages as in typical aircraft FADEC systems, but individually for each cylinder. Lycoming says benefits include electronic knock detection, laying the groundwork for alternative fuels in the future, ease in starting similar to modern cars, and even automated pre-flight engine checks. Walsh added at the Monday press conference that fuel economy rises as much as 10-15 percent in cruise. When everyone picked their jaws off the floor, Lycoming also reported other engine advances. Drawing from the solid O-235 platform proven over decades, a new IO-233-LSA variant has been designed and lightened, given throttle-body fuel injection and electronic ignition, while offering 100 continuous horsepower in as little as 200 pounds dry weight. The new engine is targeted at the light sport segment, where Rotax has built a big sales lead with its 900-series, water-cooled four-strokes, and Continental recently introduced its updated O-200D, chosen by Cessna as the powerplant for its Model 162 SkyCatcher. The new Lycoming IO-233 will enter the market with a time-between-overhaul of 2,400 hours, competitive with Continental's offering, and without the complexity of water cooling and the gear reduction drive found on the Rotax engines. It will also be capable of running on even low-octane automotive gasolines, provided they contain no alcohol. Lycoming also confirmed that its 390-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine, which has been available for several years as a powerplant for experimental aircraft, will join the Lycoming certified engine family this November. The 390 fits in the same space required for the 360-series, but offers slightly more power. And finally, they described an innovative new program to assist existing aircraft owners who wish to install new Lycoming engines. Called the Echelon STC Program, the first retrofit to be certified will be the new IO-390-A1A6 engine into the Cessna 177RG. The engine installation will be STC'd in a package which includes a McCauley prop and Slick Start ignition, and program launch is set for this fall. Lycoming Keeps Aero-TV Hopping With LOTS Of GREAT News... Check It All Out! FMI: www.lycoming.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork Copyright 2008, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved.show less...