AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2025 - 28

BRIEFING
SWEEPSTAKES /
Enter the electronic ignition or EI. EIs
provide a hotter, longer-lasting spark that
fires at exactly the right moment, improving
fuel efficiency and engine output, and is less
likely to foul your spark plugs. You can install
one EI and keep one magneto or replace both
magnetos with a dual system, which is what
we've chosen to do with the AOPA Sweeps
182. Installing a dual electronic ignition
requires a backup power supply for one of the
ignition systems. Our system will utilize the
TCW backup lithium-ion battery paired with
Electroair's backup battery monitor panel to
meet all FAA requirements. The installation
will be performed by Aerosecure Avionics in
Buckeye, Arizona, after the Buckeye Air Fair.
Revving up your
AOPA sweepstakes
Improving power, fuel efficiency, and acoustics
BY NIKI BRITTON
THE CESSNA 182 is a great platform straight out of the factory. It does everything
it was built to do very well, and most aircraft enthusiasts agree that 182s are the
perfect cross-country flier and workhorse.
So, what is there to do that Cessna didn't already get right in the late 1950s? We
look to the now! The Continental O-470 is already a fantastic powerplant, but by
adding just a couple of upgrades, we can give this Skylane a small power bump, better
fuel efficiency, and a beefier sound. Hopefully these improvements have given you,
the reader and hopeful AOPA Sweepstakes winner, an idea of where this is headed.
That's right: Your 1950s resto-mod 182 is stepping into the now with a dual electronic
ignition system from Electroair and a Power Monster Cross Flow or PMCF Exhaust
System from Power Flow Systems Inc.
DUAL ELECTRONIC IGNITION
Electronic ignitions have been mainstream in automobiles since the late 1960s, but
it's taken decades, till 2011 to be precise, for electronic ignitions to become certified
in general aviation aircraft.
To refresh your memory, magnetos are self-contained generators that deliver
ignition to an engine via the spark plugs. If your aircraft has an electrical system
failure, the magnetos will continue operating normally, keeping your engine
running until you can find a place to land. Unfortunately, magnetos are antiquated
and not the most efficient piece of equipment. They can also require expensive and
intensive maintenance.
28
AOPA PILOT / March 2025
POWER MONSTER CROSS
FLOW EXHAUST
Thanks to Powerflow Systems Inc.'s Power
Monster Cross Flow Exhaust (PMCF), the
AOPA Sweeps 182 will receive another
power bump and a brand-new sound. The
PMCF dual exhaust system converts the
182's stock high back pressure muffler to
a true dual exhaust with two independent
high-performance mufflers. Less back
pressure means an increase in performance.
Dyno testing of the system corrected to sea
level on a Continental O-470 at 2,600 rpm
showed a gain of 15 horsepower and 28 footpounds
of torque.
This will also require some modification
of the aircraft cowl which, as I'm sure most
of you have noticed, only has one exhaust
hole cut-out. The system will be installed
in-house at Powerflow System's headquarters
in Daytona Beach, Florida.
With these upgrades, your resto-mod 182
won't only be looking like it's fresh off of the
Cessna manufacturing line in the 1950s, but
will be performing like the Skylanes of today.
niki.britton@aopa.org
Claim your chance to win this
airplane today.
No purchase or contribution
necessary to enter or win. Void
where prohibited. Ends at 11:59
p.m. Eastern time on June 30,
2025. To enter and view complete
official rules, visit aopa.org/
sweeps. Sponsor: AOPA
aopa.org/sweeps
http://www.aopa.org/sweeps http://www.aopa.org/sweeps http://www.aopa.org/sweeps
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2025

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