AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011 - 42

PILOT BRIEFING
Kitfox installs Lycoming ‘light sport’ engine
Kitfox Aircraft officials say they are one of the first manufacturers to fly one of its aircraft powered by Lycoming’s new O-233 engine, a 115-horsepower powerplant with a Champion electronic ignition system designed for the light sport market. The Lycoming powered a Kitfox S7 Super Sport during test and performance-gathering flights. After about 20 hours of local flying, the aircraft flew from the Kitfox base in Homedale, Idaho, to EAA AirVenture 2011 in Oshkosh, where the aircraft was displayed in front of Lycoming’s tent, said a Kitfox spokesman. “We did not want to release information until we were sure we were ready,” said John McBean of Kitfox, who added that the aircraft’s being on display “front row, center stage” attracted a lot of attention from LSA pilots. Lycoming, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, announced in July 2010 that it had begun taking orders for the O-233 engine. Lycoming described the engine, with a 2,400-hour time between overhaul and the capability to run on auto fuel or avgas, as an important new engine to meet the needs of “a whole new segment of the flying public.” —DN

9am Demo Flight 10am Purchase

Superior Air Parts engine shipping again
Superior Air Parts has resumed shipping its Experimental XP series of engines. Sales stopped when the company declared bankruptcy years ago. Superior Air Parts is now a subsidiary of Superior Aviation Beijing following its purchase by a Chinese company. The parts used to build the Experimental engine are the same as those used in Superior’s FAA-approved 180-horsepower Vantage engine, except for improvements unique to Superior. For example, the XP can include, if the customer desires, roller lifter bearings and a cold air induction sump. There is consideration at Superior for getting FAA approval for the two modifications so they can be included in the Vantage engine. If desired, the homebuilder can have an XP engine with all FAA-approved parts, leaving out the roller lifter bearings and the cold air induction sump. Tim Archer, president and CEO of Superior Air Parts, said he hopes the Vantage engine can return to the market by the end of the summer. “The resumption of engine shipments may not seem like news, but it’s a very big step for our efforts to get our business back to where it was four years ago,” Archer said. “From a business perspective, the big picture is that we now have all of the various components and piece parts in stock to not only assemble a complete engine, but also to be able to support the needs of homebuilders and engine shops.” Archer said the engines are approved to run on any 91-octane unleaded automotive gasoline that does not contain alcohol.

I’ve owned Cubs, Turbine Maules, AirCams and Cessna Aircraft. I got into a Husky for the ﬁrst time last week and I was instantly impressed how much conﬁdence it gave me. The ailerons responded to my every move. When I got into some mountain turbulence, no big deal. The plane is so well balanced that it just molds itself to the pilot - all inputs are immediate. It was love at ﬁrst ﬂight. Dave Hermel

Husky. America’s Favorite Taildragger.
Log on to http://husky.aviataircraft.com. Check out the video, get inspired and call to schedule your own Husky Experience!

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AOPA PILOT •

42 • OCTOBER 2011

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011