Engine is Manufacturer's First in the Light Sport category

Lycoming has chosen T&T Aviation Inc., of Washington, Pa., as the local final product development and flight test partner for its new entrant into the light sport engine market, the IO-233-LSA. T&T will test the engine in its Falcon aircraft, which was designed by Corvus Aircraft of Hungary and marked internationally as the Phantom.

The engine starts with the tried and true O-235 rotating system, but evolves considerably from there. The IO-233 has a new crankcase design including roller tappets, a new sump and accessory housing design, throttle body fuel injection and electronic ignition. It will be rated at 115 hp at 2800 RPMs with other ratings for 100, 90 and 80 horsepower depending on the customer's request.

At its most fuel efficient, it will sip just 3.6 gallons per hour of fuel. Even better, the engine will be approved for use of EN228 and ASTM D4814 automotive based fuels with supplemental specs for safe operation.

Lycoming expects to be able to ship a limited number of non-certified IO-233-LSAs to select partners by the end of 2009.

FMI: www.lycoming.com, www.textron.com