Early '09 Sales Climb Beyond All Of '08
While general aviation
sales have been slow in 2009, a growing number of pilots seem to be
OK with cranking up the power and pouring on the speed with a
Lycoming Thunderbolt engine.
In the first four months of this year, sales of Thunderbolt
engines, Lycoming's line of custom experimental powerplants,
climbed 16 percent over sales of Thunderbolt engines for the all of
2008 - which was the best sales year for Thunderbolt engines in
Lycoming's history.
"Thunderbolt engines provide custom solutions that meet the
demands of aerobatic and experimental pilots, and customers who
want something more from their engines - whether it's horsepower or
capability," says Jeff Schans, Lycoming's manager of Thunderbolt
sales.
Champion Aerobatic pilot Matt Chapman of West Chester, Pa., says
he is glad he switched to Thunderbolt engines.
"I have had 100 percent reliability, not a single show missed,"
Chapman says. "Every engine has arrived on schedule, and exactly as
spec'ed out. Bolt it on and go. The attention to detail during the
order process with my Thunderbolt rep paid off. The engine came
exactly as needed for quick and easy installation."
"On the pallet and on the plane, the Thunderbolt engine has been
nothing short of breathtaking," Chapman added. "The engine is
always there when I call for its 360 plus horse power to pull my
show plane through the next maneuver. It's one less thing for me to
worry about… in a world that is full of things to worry
about."
Thunderbolt engines are a product of Lycoming's Advanced Technology
Center (ATC) as well as its goal to provide multiple engine
configuration options, based on the specific needs of individual
aircraft builders. Product offerings include engines ranging from
the rugged O-235 to the legendary IO-720 (pictured below).
Customers can choose from a variety of available fuel systems,
ignition systems and performance enhancements including component
balancing, cylinder flow matching, increased compression, tuned
induction and turbo-charging. Finishing options include chrome and
custom colors
.
The ATC, in Lycoming's Williamsport facility, was created in
2005 as a "center of excellence" for innovation. It is part of
Lycoming's vision to be the premier aviation engine company,
recognized for products, innovation and service that exceed the
expectations of our customers.