Surprise! Lots of Progress Made!

Honda and Teledyne Continental Motors just announced that they have completed the first round of flight testing on a next-generation piston aircraft engine designed by Honda and they are pleased with the results.

"We've been flying the Honda engine in the front engine position of a Cessna 337 out of Mobile Downtown Airport for the past several weeks," said Teledyne Continental Motors President Bryan Lewis. "Flight tests of the engine were conducted to altitudes up to 17,500 feet and focused on engine performance and operability. Operation of the engine has been as expected."

The engine is a four-cylinder, liquid-cooled powerplant rated at 225 horsepower and is designed to operate on 93 octane, unleaded auto fuel as well as 100 LL aviation fuel. The new engine is also controlled by a modified version of the PowerLink FADEC system currently being fielded by Continental Motors and Aerosance for existing General Aviation aircraft. The new engine provides significant advances in emissions, power output, weight, and fuel efficiency.

Honda and Teledyne Continental Motors first announced the joint feasibility study of a next generation piston aircraft engine in March of this year. Designed by Honda, the engine has been undergoing testing at the Continental Motors facility in Mobile, Alabama. The announcement followed approximately two years of cooperation between Honda and Continental. The joint feasibility study is continuing as of this date.

FMI: www.honda.com