Airframe Will Showcase New Lycoming IE2 Engine

Lancair International says customer response to its new Evolution turboprop has been phenomenal, but some potential builders expressed their desire to build the high-performance homebuilt without a turbine engine. The Bend, OR-based kit maker has responded... teaming up with Lycoming to offer a new piston power plant for the Evolution.

And that engine won't be your garden variety boxer 4-cylinder. Unveiled Monday at AirVenture 2008, the new Lycoming TEO-540-A IE2 piston engine delivers 350hp @ 2500 rpm and the single lever control reduces pilot workload as the Full Authority Digital Electronic Control monitors all phases of flight from startup to landing, delivering optimum engine performance at each stage of flight.

"Lancair International chose the Twin Turbocharged 540 cubic inch IE2 engine because of the advances Lycoming has made in its overall engine technology," the company says. "The engine control system features multi-channel safety redundancy and incorporates advanced algorithms for controlling the throttle, fuel mixture, turbo chargers and the propeller."

Lancair says the new engine will propel the Lycoming-powered Evolution to a maximum cruise speed of 270KTAS at FL280 in pressurized comfort. The engine is expected to use just 22 gallons of 100LL per hour, providing a range of 1300 nm (with 45 minute reserve). Full fuel payload is 1080 pounds.

Like the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A turbine-powered Evolution (shown above), the Lycoming-powered bird is also designed to provide a new level of safety and stability with its slow pattern and landing speeds. In addition, the BRS parachute system, energy absorbing seats, and the AmSafe Aviation airbag seat belts are available.

The estimated price for the completed piston Evolution, before options, is under $600,000. That's not cheap... but it might just be the highest-performing bang for your aero-buck out there.

FMI: www.lancair.com, www.lycoming.com