Superior Air Parts Congratulates First Grads Of XP-360 Engine Build Center

Superior Air Parts, Inc., is beating drums in celebration of the graduation of John Nystrom, Jr., and Glenn Taylor -- who were the first owners to build their XP-360 Engines under Superior's (truly) innovative engine assembly program at the company's state-of-the-art engine build center in Coppell, Texas.

Mr. Nystrom of Placitas, New Mexico is building a Vans RV-7A. Mr. Taylor of Kingwood, Texas is building a Vans RV-8A (what is it with these RV guys? They're EVERYWHERE).

"I chose to build the engine myself while working along with one of their engineers," Nystrom said. "The build program was very well run. The facility was like an operating room - very clean and very organized."

"Everything about the program was excellent," Taylor added. "Everyone there was very helpful and went out of their way to make it a great experience for me. Especially Evan Yearsley, the A&P I worked beside. He continually checked my progress and then had someone from the Q.C. (Quality Control) Department come and check our work again. That really gave me confidence in the final product."

"Evan Yearsley, the Superior A&P, and I got along very well together," Nystrom said. "He wasn't talking down to me and provided just the right amount of help that I needed to feel comfortable building the engine."

Nystrom also said that the reason he decided to come to Superior's Build Center was that he felt strongly that it was worth the effort to get the best understanding of how an engine goes together. "With the experience I received here, if I ever have any major maintenance to complete I will not be reluctant to do it myself" he said.

"I was looking at a Lycoming engine for my RV and heard about the Superior Build Center," Taylor explained. "I was already building my own plane and decided that it would be even better if I built the engine too. Then it would really be all my work. It cost a little more, but the idea of doing it all myself and, at the same time, learning so much, I think it was well worth it."

"Overall, I was very satisfied with the entire program," Nystrom concluded. "And yes, I would do it again."

Taylor concurred and added, "I really liked the entire process. It was a lot more than I expected. I got experience with all the things that go into quality workmanship and I would happily do it again."

Superior is not only the first company to offer owners of experimental aircraft the opportunity to actually take part in the assembly of their XP-360 Engine, the company is offering owners four different "Degree of Assembly" options to best fit each customer's needs and levels of experience.

Option 1 is the standard Build Center option where an XP-360 Engine is fully assembled and tested by Superior's experienced engine builders and then shipped to the owner's location for installation.

Option 2 is for customers who want to know a little more about engine assembly and operation. XP-360 Engine owners visit the Build Center to attend a training course in basic operation and then watch as their engine is assembled and tested to the company's unmatched standards by Superior's experienced engine builders.

Option 3, the one Nystrom and Taylor selected, lets customers experience the thrill of building their own XP-360 Engine from the ground up. Each customer is teamed with one of Superior's experienced engine builders who acts as a mentor during the step-by-step building process and completion of the stringent Acceptance Test Run.

Option 4 is for the experienced engine builder with the desire and determination to totally complete the project themselves. A complete Superior SL-360 engine kit is shipped to the customer's facility for assembly.

Superior Air Parts, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of FAA approved replacement parts for Lycoming and Continental aircraft engines, as well as a manufacturer of aftermarket and new replacement engines.

FMI: www.xp-360.com